
Class ^Lil 
Book xZki__ 



Copyright N"_ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 




JIAXXIBAL A. JOHNSON 

'2d Lieut. Third :\Iaine Iiifautiy, and ]st Lieut, and Ad- 
jutant Fiist Battalion Elaine Infantr}'. 



The Sword of Honor 

A Story of the Civil War by Lieut. 

H. A. Johnson, Third Maine 

Regiment, N.V. M. 



"I came not to send peace but a sword." 

' ' And they shall beat their swords into plow- 
shares, and their spears intopruning-hooks. " 



Hallowell, Maine 

Register Printing House 

1906 






LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

JUN 4: 1906 

/7^ Cooyright Entry 
CLASS '«; XXc. NO. 
^^COPY B. 



«^„.0HT.S0..«VH.*.^0H.*O. 



THE SWORD OF HONOR. 



CHAPTER I. 

AFTER two years of war commencing with the 
first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, my regi- 
ment, the Third Maine Infantry, in June 1863,. 
was on its way with the Army of the Potomac to the 
field of Gettysburg. 

The preceding two years had not been uneventful 
nor inactive on the part of our command, for we had 
been ai Yorktown on the Peninsula under McClellan, 
facing rebel works much too long for the credit ot 
our army or its commander. The force of the Con- 
federate army under Magruder was far too small to 
have delayed the Army of the Potomac thirty days 
before Yorktown. After the evacuation of the rebel 
works by the Confederates (May 3), we fought the 
battle of Williamsburg, closely followed by Seven 
Pines and Fair Oaks, (May 31 and June 1), and after 
remaining in front of Richmond until late in June, 
the Potomac army entered upon its series of engage- 
ments called the Seven Days' Battles before Rich- 
mond, commencing with Mechanicsville. 

A month had passed since the battle of Fair Oaks, 
with McClellan lying inactive along the line of the 



6 THE SWOKD OF HONOR 

Chickahorainy, and our army thinning out by malari- 
ous fevers from the swamps, while the Confederate 
army was being reinforced by Jackson's Corps from 
the valley, and was reaping the full benefit of the 
new conscription act. 

This was the condition of the two armies when the 
battle of Mechanicsville was fought June 25, fol- 
lowed by daily battles in rapid succession in this 
order: Gaines' Mills, Savage Station, White Oak 
Swamp, Glendale, Frazier's Farm, and Malvern Hill. 
The order was fight all day and retreat at night, our 
objective point being Harrison's Landing on the 
James River, where we arrived July 3, a tired, 
weary, but not whipped or discouraged army. 

The object of this narrative is not to tell how 
battles were fought or victories won; not to write a 
history of the War of the Rebellion with which we are 
all familar, but simply to mention the engagements 
in which the Third Maine Regiment was actively 
concerned; to relate personal experiences within 
the enemy's lines and to give an idea of life in the 
Confederate prisons. 

The news of the bombardment of Fort Sumpter 
(April 12, '61), sent a thrill of outraged patriotism 
throughout the entire North, and roused to action 
every loyal citizen. I was at that time at work in a 
dry goods store in Hallowell, Maine, and decided to 
enlist in the Union service, to do my part in trying to 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 7 

suppress the Rebellion. I was 19 years of age and 
weighed 112 pounds, certainly not a very promising 
subject for Uncle Sam's Uniform. Nevertheless, I 
determined to enlist. My brother, Captain Gorham 
Johnson, was recruiting a company for the ''Third 
Maine Infantry." I applied to him for admission,, 
but was promptly rejected without examination, Cap- 
tain Johnson giving as a reason that I was physicalljr 
unfit for the life of a soldier. 

Nothing daunted, I next made application to Capt.. 
Henry G. Staples, Co. B., who was recruiting la 
Augusta. He too turned me down, assuring me that 
'<he did not want me." Instead of being discouraged! 
by these repulses, I was all the more determined to 
enlist, and to enlist in the Third Maine Infantry, as 
the regiment was to be formed of companies from 
the Kennebec Valley. So I applied to the Adjutant 
General of the state, and even he tried to discourage 
me, but at last gave a written permit for Capt. 
Staples to enroll me among his men. With this 
document I did not apply in vain, and was at once 
enlisted as a high private in Co. B. 

Now comes the singular sequel of this hasty opinion 
of what a person can do as judged by the looks of his 
physical make-up ; for when our regiment arrived at 
Harrison's Landing, July 3, after our 13 months' 
service and three months in the swamps of the Chick- 
ahominy, marching, fighting, retreating, and endur- 



8 THE SVVOED OF HONOR 

ing everything that was rough and tough in a soldier's 
life in the field, this brother of mine, Captain of Co. 
E, was taken on a stretcher on board the hospital ship 
lying in the James River. He was a physical wreck 
from the exposure and hardships of a soldier's life; 
while I, his rejected brother, had not up to that hour 
seen a day of sickness, or answered a doctor's call, 
or taken a blue pill, or had my tongue examined by 
our regimental surgeon or his ofiicious hospital 
steward. In less than six months from this date, 1 
saw leave the army my colonel, former captain of 
my company, the same man who refused to accept 
me as a soldier until I brought him the order 
from Gen. Hodgson; he and my brother were both 
obliged to resign their comuilssions on account of 
severe and prolonged sickness. 

August 23, the army of the Potomac commenced its 
retrograde step down the Peninsula, and on August 
29, we found ourselves facing the army of Northern 
Virginia on the battle ground of 13 months before, 
the 1st Bull Run, and under a new commander; for 
McClellan had been removed and succeeded by Pope. 

August 29 and 30, we fought the battle of Second 
Manassas, and September 1, that of Chantilly, at 
which engagement we lost the bravest of the brave, 
our Division General, Phil Kearney. September 17, 
the battle of Antietam was fought on Maryland soil, 
the only engagement of any magnitude our command 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR & 

ever escaped; we were doing guard duty on the 
upper Potomac at the time. 

Our next encounter with the enemy was at disas- 
trous Fredericlvsburg, December 11, 12 and 13, 
under Burnside; and again on January 20, under 
the same general, we participated in the movement 
on Fredericksburg called the Mud March, abandon- 
ing which we returned to camp, and remained until 
May 1, when under fighting Joe Hooker who had 
succeeded Burnside in the command of the army of 
the Potomac, we fought the battle of Chancellors- 
ville wiiere our regiiiieut lost heavily: among the 
number my First Lieutenant, Warren Cox. As he 
was the only commissioned officer pi-esent for duty, I 
as First Sergeant of the company, took command 
after his death and held it until the campaign was 
over. 

June 11, we broke camp and started on the Penn- 
sylvania campaign. On our way to Gettysburg, at 
Gum Springs, w^e lost four lieutenants from Com- 
panies H, I, F, who while breakfasting at a farm- 
liouse about one mile from our marching column 
were captured by the guerilla Mosby. 1 mention 
these four lieutenants as I shall have much to do with 
two of them before I leave the army. 

July 1 finds tlie 3rd corps, of which our regiment 
was a part, on the field of Gettysburg, arrived too late 
to take part in the action of the first day, but early 



10 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

enough to find the situation anything but promising. 
But a very small portion ot the Union forces had been 
engaged in this first day's encounter, as the main army 
had not arrived ; the only forces engaged being por- 
tions of the 1st and 11th army corps. The early 
death of Gen. Reynolds, with the subsequent repulse 
ot the Federal Ai my and the abandonment of Semin- 
ary Ridge and occupation of Cemetery Hill by the 
Federals, also the occupation of Gettysburg town by 
the Confederates after a battle of seven hours, were 
events not at all encouraging, although our troops 
were outnumbered more than four to one during the 
entire day's conflict. 

After the death of Reynolds, the command de- 
volved on Major Gen. O. O. Howard, who by the 
way was the First Colonel of our Third Maine and 
fought with us at First Bull Run, but was soon after 
rapidly promoted, and in 1890 was the second rank- 
ing oflicer in the United States Army. These two 
small corps of the Federal Army, numbering not more 
than 10,000 men, were pitted against the divisions 
of Heath, Rhodes, Early and Pender, full 40,000 
men, and the remainder of the Confederate army in 
supporting distance. 

During the night both armies received heavy rein- 
forcements, and as the Third Sickles corps was on the 
extreme left of the Union lines and supposed to be 
facing the right of the Confederate army, it was of 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 11 

the utmost importance to locate the Confederate posi- 
tion. Our regiment was posted in Peach Orchard* 
then unknown to history, when on the early morn- 
ing of July 2, our command, numbering only 196 
rifles with 100 United States sharp-shooters, was 
ordered by Gen. Sickles to reconnoitre and find the 
position of the enemy. 

At the word * 'forward" we advanced, and for half 
a mile outside onr lines pierced the enemy's territory, 
when a dense wood obstructed our front. We then 
advanced one fourth of a mile through these woods, 
wheu our skirmishers became hotly engaged, driv- 
ing the enemy's skirmishers and pickets before 
us. We soon engaged the enemy in force; they com- 
menced to take us on the flank as well as front, 
attempting to cut us off from our line of retreat. We 
engaged this body of Confederates for thirty minutes, 
though the odds were thousands, and when the bugle 
called the retreat we fought our way back foot by 
toot. We had nearly reached the open ground, fight- 
ing step by step, when Nathan Call, one of my men 
who had fought by my side for two long years fell with 
a musket ball through his hip, and as he dropped cried 
out: <*Sergeant, don't desert me. Help me out of 
these woods." Another of our company, John W. 
Jones, noble fellow that he was, came to my assist- 
ance; we seated the wounded man across a musket, 
and with his arms around our necks, the bullets flying 



12 THE SWOED OF HONOR 

about as, and with the exultant rebs at our heels, 
twenty to our one, we were making slow but sure 
progress, when Jones dropped his end of the musket 
and fell dead, shot through the head. Before I could 
recover, get Call's arms from around me and escape, 
for I could not think of trying to assist him farther 
alone, the Johnnies were on top and around us and 
we ail three were prisoners. But a dead man and a 
wounded man were of no use to them, so I with a 
few equally unfortunate was taken prisoner. 

It is useless to attempt to describe a person's feel- 
ings at time of capture and when actually in the 
hands of the enemy; no one knows anything about it 
except from dearly-bought experience ; it is needless 
to say that I would have taken the chances with my 
regiment a hundred times over, could the choice have 
been given me. 

I found my captors were Wilcox's Brigade, of Ala- 
bama Regiments, a portion of A. P. Hill's corps. 
How a single one of our little command had ever es- 
caped is strange. As it was, we lost forty-eight men 
in killed and wounded in this' single half hour. 

Like all prisoners of war, we were taken to the 
rear far enough to be out of range of the guns of 
either army, but near enough to hear hundreds of 
cannon and thousands of rifles engaged in deadly 
conflict throughout that day and the following, July 3. 

We remained on or near the field until the night of 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 13 

July 4, when with the beaten and retreating army 
of Gen. Lee, we took up our line of march to the 
Potomac, which we crossed July 10. Could the 
victorious army of Meade only have been informed 
of the condition of the Confederate army, nothing 
could have prevented their surrender or destruction, 
for they were discouraged, weary and beaten, out of 
anmunition. Quarter Masters' and commissary stores ; 
and when we arrived at the banks of the swollen 
Potomac at Point of Rocks, they found that the pon- 
toons by which we were to cross the river had been 
swept away by the sudden rise of water in the 
upper Potomac, as it had rained every day since leav- 
ing the battle field. 

But no such good fortune was in store for us, and 
after a little delay pontoons were collected and we, 
with the heretofore victorious army of the Confeder- 
ate leader, were soon over the river and once more 
on Virginia soil. 



CHAPTER II. 

Now for our long tramp down the Shenandoah 
valley to Staunton, Virginia, more than a hundred 
miles away. We had about 6,000 prisoners in oar 
column and were guarded by the remainder of Pick- 
et's Division, the few that were left after their brave 
but unsuccessful charge on our center on July 3. 
After being searched at Staunton and having our 
blankets and everything of value taken from us, we 
were put in box cars, sixty to a car, and started for 
the Confederate capital, entering the city of Rich- 
mond, July 21, '63, just two years to a day from the 
battle of First Bull Run. We prisoners, who were 
made up of all grades of commissioned, non-com- 
missioned officers and privates, were all at first put 
in Libby prison, but soon the enlisted men, which of 
course took all warrant officers, were taken froitt 
Libby and put upon Belle Island, a small, sandy 
tract of land in the James River, just above but in 
close proximity and in sight of Richmond. Here we 
soon began to feel all the horrors of prison life. The 
water and food were poor and insufficient. We 
had only a few condemned army tents to cover the 
thousands that were crowded on this small sand bar j 
and new prisoners were daily received from dif- 
ferent points throughout the Confederacy. 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 15 

Our rations were not enough to keep body and 
soul together; and I think that many would have 
died who did not but for the hope of home and our 
lines, and trust in our future deliverance. 

I remained but seven weeks upon the island, when 
with 600 sick Yankees, was taken to City Point to 
meet our flag of truce boat that had an equal number 
of rebs, not sick however; for when Confederate 
prisoners left our Federal prisons for the southern 
lines, they were in condition to join their armies at 
once, while Northern prisoners were subjects ready 
for their graves or lingerino- sickness in hospitals. 

When we came in sight of the flag of truce ship, 
with the dear old Stars and Stripes floating over it, 
we forgot all our past troubles and privations. Never 
did Old Glory seem so dear to us as now, although as 
soldiers it had meant very much more than a beauti- 
ful piece of bunting; but now it meant protection 
and, what was more than anything else to us, some- 
thing to eat I We had been apt to think our govern- 
ment neglectful in not arranging some plan by which 
the prisoners of either army could have been ex- 
changed, and had talked very bitterly in consequence, 
but now all was forgotten, and, instead, we felt like 
praising God (and the government) from whom all 
blessings flow, for we were to taste food once more 
and in God's country, as we had from natural intui- 
tion and instinct termed the Union Lines. 



16 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

We were taken on the flag ship as soon as the 600 
well-dressed and fat Confederate prisoners came off; 
they were to be paroled man for man, for us sick and 
weak soldiers. We were fed at once on soft bread 
and coffee, and if ever food tasted sweet that first 
meal on the boat did. 

Arrived at Annapolis parole camp, Maryland, I 
was at once taken to the hospital, and when I had re- 
covered sufficiently, was given a short furlough home. 
I remained there some ten days when an order was 
issued from the War Department declaring all paroled 
prisoners of war legally exchanged, and for those 
that were able to report for duty to their regiments 
at once. Oct. 15, I joined my regiment in the field 
at Brandy Station, Va., glad to be with the old Third 
again and fight for the flag I loved so well. 

The army of the Potomac commenced its onward 
march toward the rebel capital under General Grant 
on May 4, and the night of this date found our di- 
vision on the battlefield of Chancellorsville of twelve 
months before. The next day we were hotly engaged 
in the battle of the wilderness. During this engage- 
ment and while our regiment was having a most des- 
perate struggle with the enemy, a report came to our 
Colonel, Moses B. Lakeman. that a rebel line was in 
our rear, or in other words we were flanked; also 
instructions that he should furnish an officer to accom- 
pany Gen'l. Ward's Chief of staff, Capt. Nasby, and 




COL. MOSES B. LAKEMAN 



A STOKY OF THE CIVIL WAR 17 

find out the truth of the report. Colonel Lakeman 
selected me, (I had received a Lieutenant's com- 
mission some time before,) to go with Capt. Nasby, 
and we started for the rear on the run, as we did not 
consider it necessary to use much caution in going in 
that direction. We had gone but a short distance 
when to our consternation we found ourselves in the 
midst of a Confederate line of infantry, who were lying 
so close to the ground that, in the imperfect light of 
the wood, we had failed to notice them. 

I grasped the terrible situation and turned to run 
for life and the front, but a hundred men were on their 
feet in an instant. Capt. Nash, who had never been 
a prisoner of war, surrendered as he saw resistance 
was useless, worse than folly; but, with my seven 
weeks of horrible prison life just passed and all its 
terrfble features still fi'esh in my mind, I thought that 
life again in a Southern prison was not worth saving. 
So I made a dash for liberty. A hundred muskets at 
less than fifteen paces covered me with the order to 
surrender, or I was a dead Yankee. I did surrender 
then and there, and was at once disarmed. In their 
haste they snatched my sword, and a Confederate 
captain of infantry buckled it around his own body. 
This otficer was Capt. J. C. B. Smith, 12th South 
Carolina Infantry, as I learned thirteen years later. 
This Confederate command entered our lines where 
they did not connect, but being so small a body found 



18 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

it useless to make any demonstration, and took them- 
selves out of their perilous position. If word could 
have been taken to the front, so short a distance 
away, every man could have been captured. This 
break in our formation had been occasioned by the 
severe losses of our line of battle, and connection had 
not been maintained for want of troops. Through 
one of these gaps this Confederate body of infantry 
entered ; the only result of their trip being the capture 
of a few prisoners. 

The day after capture. May 6, we were taken with 
•300 prisoners gathered from the battle-field on the 
day before, to Orange Court House, distant twenty- 
seven miles, where we remained over night. The 
following day we were put into box cars and taken to 
Gordonsville, where we were searched by the Con- 
federate authorities and everything of value taken 
from us. May 8, we were put in cattle cars and taken 
to Lynchburg where vve were placed in the Military 
Prison. June 1, we were removed to Macon, Ga., 
where a large camp of Federal ofiicers, all prisoners 
of war, had been established. When we arrived 
there, I think the prisoners must have numbered 3.000 
men, from Major Generals to 2nd Lieutenants. It 
was the custom of the Confederate authorities to keep 
the commissioned officers and enlisted men in dif- 
ferent places of confinement, and at that time only 
forty miles distant from our prison at Macon were 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 19 

thousands of our nien confined at Andersonville, 
dying at the rate of from fifty to seventy-five a day, 
from starvation or from its direct causes. The old 
adage << Misery loves company" was soon to be truth- 
fully illustrated, for I knew if the four Lieutenants 
who were captured by Mosby on their way to Gettys- 
burg more than twelve months before were still alive, 
they must be in this prison stockade at Macon. 
Almost the first persons I saw as we passed inside the 
inclosure were Lieuts. Anderson, Day, Gilman and 
Blake ; and as soon as they got their mouths closed 
from crying <'Fresh Fish", the usual salute to all new 
arrivals, they rushed forward even more pleased to 
see me than I them, as I was the only officer from the 
regiment they had seen during their long term o^ 
more than fifteen months' imprisonment. 

Every prisoner after a time accumulates little 
articles that help to make prison life endurable. 
Lieut. Anderson was quartered under a sort of shed, 
simply a roof of boards which, with some incon- 
venience and crowding, he invited me to share ; he 
also loaned me his cooking utensils, which were half 
a canteen, used to cook his corn meal in, as at that 
time the commissary was issuing to the prisoners 
sorghum molasses and corn meal. For a bag for my 
meal I used one of the legs of my Canton flannel 
drawers, and the only fault I ever found with this 



20 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

improvised bag was that it was altogether too large 
for the quantity of meal issued. 

"We remained at Macon until August 15, and just 
before this date our camp was honored by the presence 
of Gen. Stoneman of cavalry fame, who was captured 
with a portion of his command outside the city, while 
trying to liberate us from our captivity. About this 
date, August 15, 800 officers, myself included, were 
put on the cars, but for what purpose or destination 
we knew not. We knew it was to be a free ride ; as 
to the direction we were not consulted : but our final 
stoppmg place was Charleston, S. C, where we were 
at once distributed among the different buildings pre- 
pared for our reception, viz: Roper and Marine 
Hospitals, Work House and City Jail, the latter being 
my stopping place. I had learned, however, not to 
be particular about my * 'hotels," so said nothing 
when I was put in a seven by nine cell. 

At that time the city of Charleston was under a 
state of siege from the water side, as Gen. Foster was 
daily and nightly throwing the largest kind of shell 
from the batteries on Morris Island, Battery Gregg 
and the Swamp Angel, right into the heart of the city ; 
we had been taken to this place and put in the most 
exposed locations to prevent, if possible, the bom- 
bardment of this rebel stronghold. 

Our Government was notified of what the Con- 
federate authorities had done — an inhuman and un- 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 21 

warranted act; it was a violation of any previous 
articles of honorable warfare to put prisoners under 
the fire of their own guns. Gen. Foster paid not the 
slightest attention to the demand to cease firing upon 
the city on account of our exposed position, but, if 
anything, increased the severity of the siege. As the 
casualties among the prisoners from this artillery duel 
were very small, (being so well sheltered in these 
buildings,) we rather enjoyed this change in our 
prison life. We liked to watch the effect of these 
hundred pound shells from guns four miles away, to 
hear them come tearing into the city, see them strike 
buildings, watch them crumble and after a while be 
destroyed by these terrible engines of war. One of 
the strangest parts of this duel was, that my brother, 
who resigned from the army and my regiment fifteen 
months before on the Peninsula on account of severe 
and prolonged sickness, had recovered, was com- 
missioned in the United States navy, and was taking 
a part in Charleston harbor at the siege of this South- 
ern city. He not only showed his brotherly feeling 
by this red-hot reception in the way of shell and solid 
shot, but sent from the fleet while I was confined in 
Charleston a box of everything that would have made 
our hearts and stomachs glad, could it have been re- 
ceived. I learned of my brother's location off Charles- 
ton by the capture of one of his brother officer?, Wm. 
H. Kitchen, attached to the same ship, who was 



22 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

caught while doing picket duty under the walls of 
Sumpter. 

My diary commences at this date, Sept. 17, as fol- 
lows: 

Sept. 17. Shells from our guns caused a large fire 
last night, destroying twenty-nine buildings, several 
shells striking our prison, not doing much injury. 

Sept. 20. Gave draft on Confederate broker for 
$100.00 in gold, receiving $1000.00 in Confederate 
money in exchange, but as this man has got to run 
the blockade to present these drafts for payment in 
the North, there is not much chance of their ever 
being honored and paid. (Unfortunately they were, 
and when the premium on gold was at 235, as I found 
to my discomfiture when I finally got North). 

Sept. 25. Two hundred officers left our prison for 
exchange. Happy few. Naval officers received 
money and boxes from fleet, but most of the contents 
of boxes had been taken. 

Sept. 28. More shelling today than any twenty- 
four hours since being in Charleston, Foster throwing 
ninety very heavy shells right into the upper part of 
the city. 

Sept. 30. Naval officers left for Richmond and 
exchange. 

Oct. 1. Firing on the city continues very heavy. 
Eighty-four shell thrown during the past twenty-four 
hours. 

Oct. 2. Shelling of the city unusually severe, 170 
heavy shells having left Foster's guns for Charleston 
during the past twelve hours. 

Oct. 5. Without an hour's notice we started on 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 23 

the So. Ga. R. R.,for Columbia, arriving at that city 
at twelve, midnight; distance from Charleston 120 
miles. We regret the last change for we were better 
sheltered in this last city, Charleston, notwithstand- 
ing the exposure to the guns of Foster, than in any 
other point inside the Confederacy. Yellow Jack 
was said to be the cause of our removal, as it was 
taking off many of the guard that surrounded our 
places of confinement. 

Oct. 6. Placed in an open field and kept in the 
burning sun all day without shelter of any kind; no 
rations of any sort given us for the past twenty-four 
hours. Toward night it commenced raining and 
continued thoughout the night, and we prisoners, 
without any protection, without blankets or coats, 
passed a sleepless and most miserable night. 

Oct. 7. Early this morning we were given a small 
piece of bread, and then marched two miles from the 
city and left in an open field, without a tent or even a 
tree for protection from rain, sun or weather. This 
is not Charleston by any means 

Oct. 8. Last night I suffered more from the cold 
than ever before in a single night, the frost being very 
heavy and the ground, our only bed, very cold and 
damp. Such inhumanity on the part of tne authori- 
ties that have us in charge is uncalled for, for there 
are plenty of vacant buildings in Columbia that could 
shelter us until some arrangements could be made to 
provide us with tents or axes, so we might provide 
for ourselves, as a growth of pine trees is quite near 
our present camp. 

Oct. 9. Passed fearfully cold night without shelter. 
Although in the early mouths of the fall, yet we have 



24 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

frost. Had axes given us today, four tor each 100 
men, and think we will have some kind of shelter 
before another night. 

Oct. 10. Passed a the night more comfortably, as 
our tent of pine boughs keeps off the cold very well. 

Oct. 17. We had an election in camp today for 
President, and out of the 1,161 votes cast, Lincoln 
received 889 ot those polled, McClellan stock being 
very unpopular. This result was very much of a sur- 
prise to the prison authorities who supposed the camp 
was strong for McClellan, and said, before we had 
balloted, they would print in the Columbia papers 
the vote as it was taken ; but when they learned the 
result, they refused to have anything to do with it. 

Oct. 19. Camp alarmed; guards firing all along 
the line on account of some of our men trying to es- 
cape. Hounds put on their track and they were soon 
recaptured and brought back to camp. 

Oct. 21. Lieut. Young, 4th Penn. Cavalry, acci- 
dentally shot by some of the new issue; died at once. 

Oct. 26. Some of our officers in attempting to es- 
cape last night were tired on by the guard, doing 
them no injury, but they shot one of their own men 
dead on his beat. Hope to take the chance of escap- 
ing myself before long. Might as well be shot in 
attempting an escape as to die from exposure and lack 
of sufRcieut food. One of our officers shot fatally 
last night while attempting to escape. 

Nov. 7. Thirteen officers who had some days be- 
fore succeeded in getting by the guard at night, were 
recaptured ; every white man in the country is hunt- 
ing rebel deserters or escaping Yankee prisoners. 

Nov. 9. Twenty-one officers recaptured and 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAK 25 

brought back to camp, but believe if I once get out- 
side tlie rebel guard, will be successful in reaching 
our lines either at the coast or at Knoxville, Tenn., 
500 miles distant. 

Nov. 12. Received box from home, but most of 
its contents had been confiscated by the prison au- 
thorities before it was delivered to me. 

Nov. 20. Another one of our men shot last night 
while trj'ing to run the guard. 

Nov. 21. Last night three officers, Lieuts. Ander- 
son and Gilman of my regiment, and Lieut. Childs of 
the 16th Maine, also myself, made a break for libeity 
and God's Country by running down the guard. Had 
him helpless and at our mercy; the balance of the 
guard fired upon us, but in the darkness and con- 
fusion of the moment did not do us any bodily harm ; 
we ran for the woods as fast as possible. 



CHAPTER III. 

It was in the midst of a severe rain storm that we 
broke camp. The night, of pitchy darkness, was all 
the better for our project. We had no stars for guides, 
no compasses, so had to go it blind. We only knew 
that Knoxville lay in a northwesterly direction from 
Columbia. Our aim was to travel as nearly in that 
course as possible ; so we struck out for all we were 
worth, wishing to put as much distance as possible 
between us and prison camp before morning. We 
traveled in the woods the entire night what seemed 
to us twenty miles, and about daylight lay down in 
the woods to rest and get some sleep. We had slept 
perhaps an hour, when we were awakened by the 
sound of drums beating ; we were upon our feet in an 
instant, and as soon as we could get our scattered 
ideas together, found to our surprise and horror that 
we were listening to the rebel reveille at our prison 
camp {it Columbia, and instead of being miles away 
from that hated spot, we were within one-half mile of 
its grounds. In the darkness of the night, without 
anything for a guide or landmark, we had been travel- 
ing in a circle. We now knew it would only be good 
luck and kind fortune that would prevent us sleeping 
the next night in prison camp. We lay in the woods 
all that day and at night started again, as we hoped 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 27 

in the right direction. But it was still rainino-, with 
not a star to be seen. Toward morning we struck 
the Saluda river, and determined to follow that stream 
for a guide until we could find somethmg better. We 
traveled all that day and at dusk ran into a planta- 
tion by accident, and before we could retreat, started 
the hounds. Soon a pack of these man-hunters were 
after us. We ran as we never did before. It would 
have been a short race for us if it had not been for the 
river. We made for that, plunged into its icy waters 
and were, for the time, safe so far as the dogs were 
concerned. Slept in the woods for a few hours in 
our wet clothes until the moon arose, for the weather 
at last had cleared ; we then took the main road to 
Lexington Court House. 

Kov. 23. Struck the river again this morning. 
We have not found the proper road as yet, or one 
that leads in the right direction. Came very near 
being captured by running on some white men, but 
we saw them first, concealed ourselves, and escaped. 

Have had nothing to eat for the past twenty-four 
hour but dry corn which we tound in the fields. 
Must find some trusty negro who will feed us and put 
us on the right road. At night we approached a 
negro cabin for the first time ; we did it with fear 
and trembling, but we must have food and help. 
Found a family of trusty negroes belonging to Colonel 
Boozier, who gave us a good supper, such as we had 
not had for many long months. We did full justice 
to it, for we were almost famished. Here we re- 



28 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

mained till nearly morning, when we were taken to 
the woods and hid there to wait for a guide these 
negroes say they will furnish at dark. Distance made 
the past twenty-four hours, twenty-five miles. 

Nov. 24. Still in the woods. The women came 
twice during the day to bring us food and inform us 
that a guide will be ready at dark. God bless the 
poor slaves. At dark one of the slaves, Frank, took 
us seven miles, flanking Lexington Court House, 
striking the Augusta road five miles above. Traveled 
all night, making about twenty-two miles. 

Nov. 25. Lay in the woods all day, and at night 
went to Wm. Ford's plantation to get 5«omething to 
eat. The negroes could not do enough for us, supply- 
ing us generously with food. 

Nov. 26. Remained in a corn house during the 
day, the blacks bringing us plenty of food. At night 
our guide informed us that he could not take the road 
with us until the following night, so we are obliged 
to wait one day longer; but it may be as well, for 
the negroes report that Sherman is nearing Augusta. 
If so we may attempt to strike his army rather than 
continue our long tramp to Knoxvill, Tenn. 

Nov. 27. Still at Ford's plantation, where we are 
kept secreted during the day, but at night go to the 
negro cabins where we are plentifully fed. 

Eleven officers who escaped from Columbia the day 
after we did, joined our party. We are to get horses 
and arms if possible and make a bold push for Ten- 
nessee. 

Nov. 28. Still at Ford's. The party that joined 
us yesterday have given up the idea of attempting a 
bold move on Tennessee. About midnight we got a 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 29 

guide by the name of Bob to take us seven miles on 
the Edgfield road, as the Augusta State road is too 
public to travel. 

We were turned over by Bob to a guide by the 
name of George, who hid us in the woods. 

Nov. 29. George brought us food during the day,, 
and promised to get us a guide for the night. At 
dark went to the negro quarters, where a nice chicken 
supper was waiting us. This is on the Lee planta- 
tion, the owner, (an officer in the Contiderate army), 
now at home on sick leave. Could not get a guide, 
so were taken to the woods and hidden. 

Nov. 30. George came to us in the morning with 
a warm breakfast which was greatly appreciated, 
after lying in the cold woods all night without any 
protection and scantily clothed. At night went again 
to the cabin where another chicken supper was wait- 
ing us. This kind of living is in marked contrast 
with our prison fare for the past seven months ; and 
if we were not in constant dread of recapture, and 
disheartened at making such slow progress toward 
our lines, we should think we were not very badly 
off. 

Dec. 1. Just comfortable for a winter's day. At 
night after eating the usual diet of chicken, Peter, our 
guide, told us he was ready for the road. Went about 
twelve miles, when Joe took us in charge and Peter 
started for home again. Were then hidden in the 
woods for the day. 

Dec. 2. As soon as it was daylight the negroes on 
this place commenced coming to where we were 
hidden, all having something for us in the way of 
food ; they also promise us a guide for the night. If 



30 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

such kindness will not make one an abolitionist, then 
his heart must be of stone. This is on the Matthews 
place. At dark we were taken to the widow Hardy^s 
plantation, where chickens, etc., were served for our 
supper. Hero Jim took us eight miles, and then gave 
us into the care of Arthur, who, after going with us 
fifteen miles, gave us to Yance, who hid us in the 
woods. At dark Vance brought us more chickens 
for our evening meal, then started on the road with 
us going eight miles, then Charles took us, going five 
miles ; then David took us four miles, giving us into 
the care of Hanson, who took us a short distance and 
left us at the plantation of Preston Brooks (late U. S. 
Senator from South Carolina.) Distance made during 
the night about twenty miles. This plantation is 
located at a place called 96, and is one of the best- 
equipped and most extensive places we have yet come 
across. Here one of Brooks' negroes who goes by 
the name of Russel, took us in charge ; his first work 
was to hide us in the woods, or rather a pine thicket 
too near the widow's house for absolute safety. 

Dec. 4. Early this morning the slaves brought us 
a nice breakfast, for everything is in first-class con- 
dition on this place, which does not seem to have felt 
the effects of the war as much as the rest of the coun- 
try we have passed through. We are now less than 
one-eighth mile from the Brooks homestead, where 
the widow and her children live : three daughters and 
one son, who no doubt would like to hang us < 'North- 
ern Mud Sills," as their late father was wont to call 
us, if they only knew how near we are to them. 

We very well know their feelings toward us of 
the North from the cowardly assault of the husband 



A STOEY OF THE CIVIL WAR 31 

and father, Preston S. Brooks, upon the person of 
Charles Sumner, in the halls of Congress just before- 
the war, a war which has not improved or sweetened 
their disposition. The day being Sunday the family 
are going to church and the Brooks house servant, 
who has been in the woods to see us, has promised 
to show us the identical cane that Brooks used upon 
the uncovered and defenceless head of our senator. 
After the family were out of the house this woman- 
brought a wash leather sack into the thicket for oun- 
examination. The cane originally was a large rose- 
wood stick with a massive gold head and on its face 
was this inscription : ''Hon. P. S. Brooks from B. D. 
Vick." Must have been a presentation cane from 
some admirer of this Southerner. 

The stick was broken in three pieces, used up on 
the head of Sumner, from the effects of which he 
never fully recovered. My great desire was to tak& 
this cane away with me, and 1 so expressed myself, 
but the servant protested with so much earnestness 
that I gave up the idea. She said the house was left 
in her charge, and if this cane were missed, which it 
certainly would be, she would be called upon to 
produce it or satisfactorily explain its absence. We 
were entirely helpless without the assistance of these 
poor ignorant negroes, for we were dependent upon 
them for food, shelter and guides; and it was in- 
cumbent upon us not to make them any unnecessary 



32 THE SWOED OF HONOK 

trouble when they were risking so much for us ; for 
that reason alone this cane is still at 96, South 
Carolina, instead of in the hands of some of Sumner's 
personal friends in Massachusetts who would appre- 
ciate it as a memento and relic of these troublesome 
times which ended in the freedom of these same 
slaves. 

At this time it was quite cold, ice forming every 
night; and as we escaped from prison with only 
what we stood in, and not much of that, we grate- 
fully received from the negroes valuable additions to 
our worldly possessions, each one of us a warm 
comfortable, more precious than gold or all the canes 
in the South, a pair of pants, a pair of socks, a pair 
of knit gloves, and food in abundance. I think a 
good portion of the entire donation must have come 
from the Brooks' house rather than the negro 
quarters, but as beggars should not be choosers, and 
as the end justifies the means, we asked no questions, 
but willingly and thankfully received this Godsend 
to us in our destitute and almost naked condition. 

At night we bade goodbye to the Brooks plantation 
and its most loyal servants. Every mile we ad- 
vanced toward our journey's end, Tennessee, the 
stronger was our regard for the poor blacks ; for the 
feeding or assisting an escaping Federal Soldier was 
the promise of 100 lashes, well laid on. And know- 
ing this would certainly follow, they never failed to 







CALVIX 8. BIWWX 
Lieut.-ColouPl Fi,st Battalio,, A|,ni„e ,„,,„(, 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 33 

meet us with full hands and willing hearts, and even 
after their hard day's work, they were never too 
weary to guide us on our journey to places of safety; 
^within eight months, I was able to return some of 
the many favors given by these faithful negroes). 
That night we made no progress; we were simply 
taken three miles up the road and left in a better 
place of security, as it was not possible to find a 
guide. 

Dec. 5. At dark we were taken four miles, by a 
darkey named Dan, and soon found we were going 
in the wrong direction. We retraced our steps, got 
another guide who took us to Colonel Frazier's. 
Distance in right direction about ten miles. During 
the night crossed the railroad above 96, and here Ned 
took us in charge. The boys on this place were 
good foragers, for while with them we lived on the 
fat of the land. 

Dec. 6. At dark, two of the Frazier sei^ants took 
us eighteen miles, and then gave us into the hands of 
Ben and Harrison, who took us to Henry Jones' 
place. Just before we arrived at this plantation it 
commenced raining, and we got as wet as if thrown 
into the Saluda river. Here we were put in a negro 
cabin with a fire and bed at our disposal, and we 
took advantage of both. 

Dec. 7. Our breakfast was bacon and eggs and 
pea coffee, also a good dinner with negroes to watch 
the cabin during the day to see that we were not sur- 
prised and captured ; best place we have yet struck, 
not excepting the Brooks plantation. At night 



34 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

Honry took us to Elijah Waters^ he in turn to Sam 
Jones,' who went five miles, and gave us into the 
keeping of Andrew who hid us in the woods for the 
balance of the night. 

Dec. 8. Nice breakfast of chicken, wheat bread 
and preserves. At dark after taking a warm supper, 
Ned took us six miles, giving us to John Wesley, 
who after going eleven miles, turned us over to 
Sandy Latimore, who went three miles ; he gave us 
to Balus, who went six miles, and finally left us with 
Sam Matterson who hid us in the woods. During 
that night, we traveled twenty-five miles with four 
different guides. 

Dec. 9. It soon began to snow. Our guide came 
for us and hid us for the day in a negro cabin. At 
night some negroes came six miles through the storm 
to bring us food. We are gaining in strength and 
weight, for we are eating most of the time when we 
are not on the road tramping. The snow being deep 
it is not safe to travel tonight, so we are hidden in a 
fodder barn. 

Dec. 10. This morning two poor runaway slaves, 
brother and sister, came to see us. They are living 
in the woods to keep out of the way of their master, 
and are suffering much from exposure this cold and 
wet weather. They think because we are from the 
North we can help them ; but we are m as bad if not 
a worse condition than themselves, as the slightest 
carelessness or accident may throw us into the hands 
of the enemy, which is every white face in the South. 
We sympathize with them in their terrible situation, 
yet we can do nothing to relieve them. It has con- 
tinued raining and snowing and we are very fortunate 



A STOKY OF THE CIVIL WAR 35 

to have even this fodder barn for shelter; yet it is 
fearfully cold as the corn stalks do not keep us warm. 

Dec. 11. Emmanuel came to see us last night and 
said it was not safe to travel as the snow would 
prove an enemy, so we keep hidden and wait for the 
weather to clear. 

Dec. 12. Last night we almost froze, and had we 
been on the tramp, think we should have perished 
with the cold. Even in this fodder barn the drinking 
water in our pail froze almost solid in twelve hours. 
But we must start tonight, cold or not. Another 
■chicken supper, and at 10 o'clock we took the road, 
making nineteen miles before daylight. Tough on 
our poorly shod feet ; as it was snow, ice and water 
every foot that we traveled; but each mile, although 
marched in pain and discomfort, brings us nearer the 
Union lines and God's Country. 

Dec. 13. We lay in the woods all day. Last 
night was the first time we have attempted to travel 
without a guide. Passed through Pickensville and 
at this point took the wrong road. Instead of taking 
the Pumpkintown road, by mistake we took the 
Pickens Court House road; distance made during 
the night seventeen miles. 

Dec. 14. At dark started by ourselves, struck a 
cross road where four roads met, but the guide-board 
being gone were at a loss which one to take. Took 
the one we thought right and after travelling two 
hours were at loss to know where we were, but made 
up our minds to approach a house, find our location, 
get further directions, also something to eat, for we 
had been on short allowance for the past twenty-four 
hours. Fortunatelv we struck the cabin of a Union 



36 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

woman by the name of Pnnce and her three children. 
She proved a princess indeed, who fed and warmed 
ns, for we were wet, hungry and cold. After this 
woman was convinced we were escaped Union 
prisoners of war, she opened her heart to us ; told 
ns that her husband was a Union man but had been 
obliged to go into the confederate army, where he 
was killed. She also told us that ten miles from her 
house, up in the mountains, there was a camp of 
Outliers made up of rebel deserters and Union men 
who had never been in the Confederate army, who 
were living in caves in the mountains to avoid being 
captured and shot or taken into the army by a com- 
pany of Rangers m the Confederate service, employed 
to capture or shoot these men. These Outliers had 
told this Union woman, if she ever came across any 
Yankee prisoners who were making for the Union 
lines, to bring them to their camp and they would go 
through the mountains with them and join the 
Federal army. After hearing this welcome news, 
and getting dry and rested, we started about mid- 
night with this woman for a guide as the Outliers* 
camp, which we reached just before daylight, after a 
wearisome tramp of ten miles in a mountainous 
country. 

Dec. 15. The camp consisted of about fifteeii men 
all armed to the teeth with knives, revolvers, muskets, 
rifles and axes. A rougher, more desperate looking 
set of men I never saw, and our first thought was 
that we had been betrayed to a camp of bushwhackers. 
Our fears were s6on dispelled, however, and we 
found these Outliers ready and anxious to go through 
with us to Tennessee ; and as they were familiar with 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 37 

the mouDtain passes which we were obliged to cross, 
we were very glad of their company. 

Dec. 16. This morning the Outliers began to come 
into onr camp, having heard we were there. Now 
we have twenty men well armed, who will go through 
to our lines with us, or die in the attempt. The 
wives of these men came to see us today, and say 
they are willing their husbands and sons should go 
with us as they are certain to be caught and shot by 
the rangers before long, if they remain here. Went 
at night to the house of two Union women. It is a 
relief to talk with people who are loyal to the Union i 
for it has been all secesh for many months. 

Dec. 17. The women came to our camp before 
daylight this morning to see their husbands. They 
are intelligent, these rough mountaineers, and true 
as steel. Can hre a rifle and bring down a deer as 
well as a man. At dark went with two Outliers to 
their homes up the mountains ten miles away ; slept 
in a feather bed for the first time for three years, but 
with my clothing on all ready to jump and take to 
the woods if we are surprised by the rangers. 

Dec. 18. At daylight we three went into the 
mountain to remain until dark, for the rangers are 
out, and we must keep clear of them. At night went 
back to the house once more, got a warm supper, 
then went down the mountain to a good Union man 
by the name of Alexander, where we remained all 
night; during the night some twenty Union womea 
arrived at the house, for this is the spot agreed upon 
to start for Tennessee. 

Dec. 19. Tonight we start for Knoxville in 
earnest, for our party now numbers forty-six men, 



38 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

quite a strong force for the rangers to strike. The 
parting between these men and their wives and chil- 
dren was very affecting, for the}^ love their kin with 
a devotion and affection I never saw excelled. 
Travelled in a mountainous country all night, making 
about sixteen miles. 

Dec. 20. Remained in the mountains all day, and 
at dark it commenced raining very hard, so we are 
obliged to remain where we are for the night. 

Dec. 21. Went to the top of Chimney Top moun- 
tain, and here remained until the morning of the 22d. 
We are now within three-fourths mile of the North 
Carolina line, which we shall soon cross, glad to get 
out of the state of South Carolina. Crossed the first 
range of the Blue Ridge. The mountains have been 
covered with snow and ice, and as cold on their tops 
as in Maine in winter. 

Dec. 23. Yesterday we made 20 miles, and at 
night encamped at the foot of Hog Back mountain. 

Dec. 24. This morning fourteen of our }>arty 
started back to South Carolina. Got frightened at 
the prospect of meeting Indians some thirty miles in 
advance of us ; also afraid of the sncw and cold we 
are encountering in these fearful mountains; men 
say they had rather be shot at their own doors by the 
rangers and be buried by their families, than die of 
cold and starvation so far away from home. Do not 
blame them any, but we have no choice left us; must 
press through although the prospect is a very gloomy 
one. It was a mistake taking this fearful course in 
mid-winter through these mountains, dressed in 
summer clothing, no underclothes, stockings worn 
out days since, shoes all to pieces and clothing in 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 39 

rags from rough usage m the mountains. We slip 
and fall every dozen steps, and thus add to the many 
rents and rags on our bodies. Got a guide from this 
section who says he will go through with us, as our 
present South Carolina friends are no good to us; 
are so far away from home that they know no more 
of the passes in the mountains ahead of us than do 
we Yankees. Crossed Tennessee mountains today, 
the highest range we have yet struck, being three 
miles to the top. Made fifteen miles. 

Dec. 25. Early today crossed 8 very high peak 
known as the Balsam Mountain, three and one-halt 
miles to the summit; being covered with snow it 
was very hard to climb. At noon crossed the Rich 
Mountain, another high peak, whose top seemed to 
be above the clouds. At night encamped at the foot 
of Chestnut Mountain in a very severe snow storm 
which continued all night. Distance made thirteen 
miles. 

Dec. 26. Had a hard day^s journey and at night 
encamped near the state road that leads to Georgia. 
Have been on allowance since Saturday, only three 
bites of bread and meat for twenty-four hour&. 
Distance made twelve miles. 

Dec. 27. Crossed the state road at daylight. "We 
are now four miles past Scott's Creek Balsam Moun- 
tain, which took us all day to cross, encamping at 
night in a rain storm at the foot of Catalouch Moun- 
tain. Distance made only eight miles. 

Dec. 28. It rained all last night and this morning 
commenced snowing, and continued all day. God 
only knows whether we shall be able to stand the ex- 
posure and suffering we are hourly called upon ta 



40 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

endure. Seems as if there must be a limit to our 
strength and power to suffer. Are now living on 
raw corn and wet chestnuts which we find in these 
mountains, for our food gave out a number of da5"s 
ago. Teeth and gums are so sore from eating this 
kind of food that it is painful to open and close our 
mouths. Distance made today nine miles. 

Dec. 29. Snowed again last night, continuing 
until morning. No sleep for any of us. Went to a 
house for food, also directions, for we are almost 
starved. Found a good Union man who fed us and 
gave us the information wanted. Distance ten miles. 

Dec. 30. Slept in a house last night, and if ever I 
enjoyed the protection of a roof it was on this 
occasion, for we have had nothing but the heavens 
for a covering for many days; rain, snow and cold to 
contend with, always with wet feet and frequently 
thoroughly wet from head to foot for several days at 
a time — hungry, tired and discouraged ; the protection 
of this roof and a full stomach once more makes me 
think life is worth struggling for a little while longer. 
We are now within one mile of the main road to 
Knoxville, which I hope we can take, for we have 
suffered so much in the mountains that I want to 
leave them at once and forever. The party have 
concluded to take to the mountains again, for we 
hear there are guards on the road. Started over the 
mountains once more, but after going four miles, 
three of us vowed we could go no farther through the 
mountains, but would take the road, guards or no 
guards ; so we left the main party with one of our 
Third Maine Lieutenants (S. L. Gilman), while 
Anderson, Childs and myself started for the public 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 41 

highway. As we were approaching the house of a 
loyal Teunesseean we barely escaped capture. Un- 
known to us four rebel cavalrymen were being fed 
in the house, and as we jumped the fence to enter, the 
wife chanced to come to the door just in the nick of 
time; seeing us she motioned us to go back. We 
hurriedly secreted ourselves and after the rebs had 
filled up, mounted their horses and drove off, we 
took our turn, and got a square meal from the same 
table the Johnnies had vacated. 

Dec. 31. Remained at this house all night, for we 
were too tired to continue our trip. 

Jan. 1, 1864. Went six miles last night with the 
rebel cavalry just ahead of us, but as long as we keep 
them there we are all right. Stopped at night at 
Jimmy Caldwell's, a good Union man, who after 
feeding us hid us in his barn, not thinking it safe for 
us to remain in his house. 

Jan. 2. Remained in the barn during the day, 
were fed by loyal Union women ; took the road again 
at dark, making twelve miles very comfortably during 
the night, for we are now travelling on the public 
highway. 

Jan. 3. Hid during the day and night. Are near- 
ing our lines. Must be cautious and not get captured 
when so near God's country. 

Jan. 4. Took the road at daylight and made 
sixteen miles during the day. 

Jan. 5. Came into the Union lines at noon today 
meeting a squad of the Tenth Michigan cavalry, who 
were out foraging or rather getting fodder for their 
horses. Slept at night in the camp of First Ohio 
heavy artillery. Distance made nineteen miles. 



42 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

Made a portion of it on one of the army wagons out 
with the Tenth Michigan, gathering forage. 

Jan. 6. Pressed three horses of the farmers and 
rode to Knoxville, some twenty-five miles distant, 
entering that city Jan. 7, after being on the road 
seven weeks. 



CHAPTER IV. 

No human being can imagine our feelings as we 
entered that city except he has been in the same 
identical condition. "We could hardly realize our 
situation; we were more like children than men; 
would first laugh at our good fortune and then 
could not keep back the tears when we knew it was 
all true — at last in God's country and our suffer- 
ings at an end ! Wc were like a man condemned 
and then at the last moment receiving a pardon, for 
we were hoping against hope during our entire trip; 
we hoped to get through, yet there were so many 
things to prevent it; the slightest accident or care- 
lessness in any unguarded moment would have 
proved our ruin. We did not feel safe to speak 
above a whisper until we were in the lines at Knox- 
ville, and for days after our arrival, we would speak 
to each other in low, unnatural voices. 

After our long tedious trip through the mountains 
of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee 
we were fit subjects for the sick list, and, after re- 
porting to the Commander of the post, we were 
admitted to the Government Hospital for rest and 
shelter, and to get eight months' dirt from our persons, 
and a change of clothing. The day following our 
arrival in Knoxville, Lieut. Gilman with his party of 



44 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

South Carolina Outliers came in: they too were 
given quarters in the Government Hospital and all, 
both Southerners and Yankees, were treated with 
uniform kindness. 

As our regiment had been out of service since the 
previous June by reason of expiration of its three 
years of honorable service, we of the Third Maine 
were ordered to report to our State capital for final 
muster out, while Lieut. Childs of the Sixteenth 
Maine, whose command was still in the field, was 
ordered to report to Washington for orders. 

We were given transportation home. On our 
papers or blanks was the riotice that we were officers 
who had successfully escaped from Southern prisons, 
which secured us many acts of kindness and atten- 
tion on our way north. We obtained two months' 
pay at Louisville, Kentucky, so were in good condi- 
tion to enjoy the trip home. Arrived at Augusta, 
Maine, Jan. 28, 1865, where I was mustered out and 
paid all due me from the U. S. Government. 

The war at this time seemed nearly over. Yet no 
one could tell how long it might last, and after I got 
over my fatigue and had replaced some of the flesh 
lost in my long captivity, I had a strong desire to get 
back to the army again ; so after remaining at home 
about six weeks I was commissioned by tlie Governor 
as First Lieutenant of one of the four companies 
forminff at Auofusta to recruit the Nineteenth Maine, 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 45 

then in the field ; but when we joined them in the 
Valley we found their ranks had been filled from 
other sources. Our command of four companies was 
then made into a battalion called the Fii st Maine Un- 
attached Battalion. Our senior Captain, Calvin S. 
Brown, was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, and I 
was made his Adjutant. Thus I served the last 
twelve months of my army life. 

The surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia 
and all troops under the Confederate fiag took place 
when we had been at the front but a short time, and 
after the grand review of the Potomac and Western 
armies at Washington most of the troops were mus- 
tered out. At this time some troops had to be retained 
to garrison southern cities, do Freedman's work, and 
also many other duties. With the last enlisted com- 
mands our battalion was retained and served its en- 
tire time, one year, being mustered out April 5, 1866, 
twelve months after Lee^s surrender. 

This last term of service as a soldier was one of 
pleasant and light duties, in marked contrast to my 
life and experience in the field with our ever hard- 
worked and fighting Brigade, for as a Brigade or 
Kegiment we never knew what it was to have an 
easy time. 



CHAPTER V. 

About July 1, the Battalion was sent to Charleston, 
South Carolina, the city that had held me a prisoner 
only the September before, while taking the shot and 
shell from Foster's guns. I took much pleasure in 
visiting my old prison quarters and rejoiced in the 
change in my surroundings. About Jul}' 20, our 
command was ordered to relieve a colored regiment 
then on duty in upper South Georgia, stationed is 
Greenville, Abbeeville, Laurens and Anderson ; dis^ 
tricts away up toward the mountains, with head- 
quarters at Anderson Court House. When I found 
we were going into this section of the state, I thought 
it would be strange if we did not see many familiar 
spots and come across some of the tried and true 
negroes, now freedmen, who had been our friends 
and guides; where we had traveled as helpless 
refugees through the entire length of three of the dis- 
tricts which our command was to garrison. 

On our way up the country we stopped one day at 
Columbia, and the condition of the city at this tinae 
was in marked contrast to what it was when I was 
there a Yankee prisioner. In the meantime Sherman 
had made his memorable March to the Sea, and the 
city of Columbia was half laid in ashes from the de- 
vastations of both Union and Confederate armies. I 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 47 

visited my old prison camp of the November before, 
I fouod what was left of my miserable apology of a 
brush tent that had served such good purpose in 
sheltering me from the cold; visited the spring 
where we got our water, the spot where we broke 
through the lines on the twentieth of November. I 
also found the hut of Captain Jack Adams, Nine- 
teenth Massachusetts Infantry, where he used to hold 
forth. (He was a leader of men, even in prison.) 

While a prisoner at Columbia the guard under 
command of an officer [Captain Martin] used to visit 
our camp every morning, make us fall into line, 
count us off, see how many Yankees they had lost 
during the night, and report the number left to receive 
rations. Captain Martin did us many little acts of 
kindness which if known to the post commatider 
would have cost him his commission. 

After leaving Columbia our first stop was at An- 
derson, and while the command were disembarking I 
Jumped on my horse and rode to a little cottage near 
the depot. Seeing a man in the yard 1 asked him if 
he would oblige me with a glass of water. His face 
seemed familiar, but at the moment I could not tell 
when or where I had seen him. On his return from 
the house it flashed into my mind that he was Martin, 
our old prison Captain. When I addressed him by 
name and told him who I was he seemed greatly 
pleased to renew the acquamtance. He invited me 



48 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

to his house, and introduced me to his family. I 
found him a man of culture and refinement, who had 
lost all his property by the war, and was now teach- 
ing school as a means of support. 

Our command was divided into five different towns,, 
with headquarters at Anderson, it being the largest 
town in our sub-district. I was appointed Assistant 
Adjutant General by General Ames at Columbia to 
make contracts with the planters and freedmea 
throughout the region where our command waa 
located, and to do other duties of a similar nature^ 
This, of course, threw me into direct contact with 
all the freedmen and planters for many miles around, 
and with scores of negroes whom I had met only a- 
few months before when I was a refugee, trying ta 
hide my face from anything but a black man. Seven 
months before I was avoiding the white man's house 
and presence as a pestilence ; now I was invited ta 
share the best his house afforded, not out of respect 
for me or for the Government I represented, but 
rather to make a favorable impression, hoping by sa 
doing to influence me to make his contract with the 
freedman favorable to him rather than to the blacks^ 
Some of the negroes did not remember me, while 
very many did, and some of tiie latter were afraid 
even at this late day, to have the fact that they had 
ever met me before made known to their former 
masters ; they thought these men might still do theni 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 49 

harm for their acts of humanity to us escaping Union 
prisoners. It was, indeed, strange to be found sitting 
at the table as a guest, partaking of the hospitality of 
these Southerners on whose plantations I had skulked 
and whose hen roosts had been robbed to feed me; 
with some of the very same negroes whose hands had 
brought us food in the woods or thicket of some damp 
and cold swamp — waiting on the table. 

We held our tongues, not from fear of wounding 
the feelings of the planter, but to save the negroes. 
I think they were needlessly alarmed, as they were 
receiving kind treatment from their former owners. 

Before I forget it, let me say just here that all con- 
tracts made by the planter and freedman, and they 
were many in the season of 1865, were considered 
very unjust by the planter; that they gave the negroes 
too large a proportion of the crops, and stipulated too 
many conditions for their benefit. The planter may 
have been right in his complaints, but it was the only 
means at my disposal by which I could reach the 
entire number of negroes who had been my only 
friends when friendship was most needed, and re- 
turn a portion of the great debt due them. 

We remained in this location until the following 
April, some eight months. It was among our duties 
to assist all destitute loyal Southern people in the 
way of issuing Government rations, proof of their 
loyalty being a necessary requisite. We had many 



m THE SWORD OF HONOR 

applications, some worthy and others not. To one 
of the former I wish to draw your attention. One 
night in December when we were without a guide 
and were much in want of information and food, we 
were obliged to go to a house for these, and found a 
poor widow by the name of Prince, who after feeding 
us took us to the band of Outliers in the mountains. 
The night before we started for the mountains she 
»sked if I would give her a paper showing what she 
had done for us, as it might do her some good should 
any Federal troops pass through that section. I was 
only too glad to do this, trusting that at some future 
time it might help her, although there was little 
chance for Union troops to be so far up the country. 

I made a simple statement of what she had done 
tor us and recommended her to the kindness of any 
future Federal officer or soldier who might read the 
document. 

One day in August, nine months afterwards, the 
orderly came to my quarters and said there was a 
woman outside who wanted to see the Yankee officer 
who was giving food to the loyal whites. I told him 
to admit her. A true type of a poor white womau 
came in. She made known her wants, telling me she 
was a widow with three children to support, and as 
the Government was helping such she had applied, 
assuring me she was and always had been loyal to 
the Union. 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 51 

To my inquiry <'how can you prove all this?" she 
took from her bosom a neatly folded paper and handed 
it to me. The writing seemed familiar, and looking 
at the bottom of the sheet I saw my own signature 
where I had placed it the December before. As soon 
as I recovered from my surprise I asked her if she 
had ever seen me? She said she reckoned not. 
<'Don't you remember feeding four Yankee officers 
some time last winter and then taking them to the 
Outliers' camp in the mountains?" She replied she 
did. "Well, Mrs. Prince, I am one of those Yankees, 
the one who wrote that letter." 

'*The little Lieutenant! Are you the little 
Lieutenant?" she exclaimed, and when I answered in 
the affirmative there was a scene. To tell the truth 
I was "all broke up;" for I had a tender memory for 
this poor white woman and her acts of unselfish kind- 
ness. 

It did not take us long to get down to business. 
This time I was the host and she the guest. She in- 
formed me she was still living in the old place, some 
seventeen miles from the Court House in Pickens* 
district. She said that the men who had started 
with us through the mountains and had turned back 
on account of snow and Indians, had been met by the 
Guard, and many of them killed. Tnose that went 
to Knoxville joined the Union army. Some had 
been killed in late engagements of the war, and 



52 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

others had been murdered by the returning Con- 
federate soldiers when they learned they had joined 
the Union Army. 

Mrs. Prince returned to her home in the mountains 
with a mule load of rations, full more than the 
Government allowance for a family no larger than 
hers, but it was a case that made unusual demands 
upon my feelings, and I gratified my inclination to 
return good in its kind, compound interest included. 

We remained in this section for a year after the 
close of the war, and were then mustered out at 
Hart's Island, New York harbor, in April, 1866. 



CHAPTER VI. 

As I laid aside my blue uniform, worn almost con- 
tinuously for five years, I felt that my war experience, 
though filled with tremendous sacrifices, and with 
sorrowful recollections, had much in it to look back 
upon with genuine satisfaction, much of it even with 
pleasure. That there have been incidents in prison 
life more eventful than were mine I do not doubt, 
many perhaps far more thrilling, but I question if 
there are many records, where a prisoner who has 
made a suc(;essful escape from a rebel prison has, 
through the chances of war, again visited the scenes 
of his long and weary tramp, with the opportunity, 
sanctioned by Government authority, to return some 
of the many acts of kindness done to the Union 
refugees by the black men, and a very few loyal 
whites of the South. 

After five years of service in Uncle Sam's army, I 
went back to civil life with no regrets. I was 
anxious to again take up the broken threads of a 
business career, which had been interrupted by the 
guns of Sumpter in April, 1861, and did so with the 
consciousness of having served my country to the 
best of my ability through the trying years of the 
Civil War. 

I deeply regretted the loss of the sword, presented 



54 THE SWOKD OF HONOR 

to me by my company, and had many times asked 
myself, who were my captors, and what the history 
of the sword after its violent separation from me? 
For eleven anxious years no answer came to my in- 
quiry. 

In May, 1875, while a resident of the city of Lynn, 
I was surprised by receivino^ the following corre- 
spondence from Augusta, Maine, and Columbia, S. 
C, which will explain itself. 

Augusta, Me., May 25, 1875. 
H. A. Johnson, Esq., 

Lynn, Mass. 
Dear Sir: — 

It is with pleasure that I have the privilege of for- 
warding to you the enclosed letter from Maj. J. H. 
Cochrane of Augusta, now m Columbia, S. C. The 
letter explains itself. I would like to have it re- 
turned to me, and if at any future time you may want 
it, I shall be pleased to place it at your disposal. 

In order to obtain your address, I visited your 
friends in Hallowell, and at their request furnished a 
copy of the letter for publication. As it contains 
nothing but what is considered by those who knew 
you a well deserved compliment, I think you can 
have no objection. 

Very respectfully yours, 

F. A. Chick. 




THE LATE CAPT. J. ('. B. SMITH 
Twelfth JSouth (aroliim Infantry. 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 55 

Columbia, S. C, May 19, 1876. 

Mr. F. A. Chick, 
My Dear Friend; — 

I was visited this morning by Capt. J. C. B. Smith, 
cashier of the Citizens Savings Bank of this city, who, 
learning that my home is in Maine, desired to obtain 
the address, if possible, of Lieut. H. A. Johnson, for- 
merly of Company B, Third Maine Infantry. 

Capt. Smith stated that Lieut. Johnson was 
captured by his command (Company K, Twelfth S. 
C. Infantry), at the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 
1864, and that he has in his possession the sword and 
sword belt of Lieut. Johnson which he is desirous of 
returning to him, if living, or in the event of his 
death to such of his family, as may appreciate its 
value. The sword, a very elegant one, was presented 
(as appears by an inscription plate on one side of its 
metallic scabbard), to Lieut. Johnson by his com- 
pany. On the opposite side is a similar plate on 
which is inscribed the name of some twenty battles, 
commencing with the First Bull Run and ending 
with Chantilly. 

Capt. Smith states that it has always been his 
desire to restore this sword to Lieut. Johnson as an 
evidence of admiration for his determined bravery 
when captured, when although surrounded and en- 
tirely cut off from support, he absolutely refused to 
surrender, and, in the excitement of the moment, it 
was with the greatest difficulty that Capt. Smith 
prevented his men from firing upon Lieut. Johnson, 
who appeared to regard the danger which menaced 
him with fearless indifference. When disarmed, an 
excellent revolver was also taken from Lieut. John- 



56 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

son, which afterwards was lost or stolen, and Capt. 
Smith regrets his inability to restore it with the 
sword. 

Being unable to answer the inquiry referred to, 
but anxious to assist, so far as I can, in giving early 
effect to the generous purpose of this gallant soldier 
of the South, who I am assured is one of the most 
estimable gentlemen in the State, I have to ask you 
to use this letter in any way that you thmk will 
secure the desired information in the least time. 
Very truly yours, 

J ABIES H. Cochrane. 

I at once communicated with Capt. Smith and later 
received the following letter: — 

Columbia, S. C, May 27, 1875. 
H. A. Johnson, Esq., 

Lynn, Mass. 
My dear Sir: — 

Your telegram is just received at the hands of 
Major J. H. Cochrane. I assure you it gives me 
great pleasuie to be the medium by which your 
beautiful sword, the merited emblem of respect and 
honor, is now to be restored to you. 

Scarcely had the clouds of war been dissipated ere 
it became my earnest desire to return the weapon, 
with an expression of my sincere admiration for the 
gallantry with which you used it, but circumstances 
have hitherto prevented the execution of my design. 
I now forward the sword by express and accompany 
it with a sentiment which is common, I trust, to all 
sections of our great Country. 



A STOBY OF THE CIVIL WAR 57 

^^May all animosities he buried; and hereafter 
may amity and an earnest cooperation prevail 6e- 
tween the States of the Union for the general good.^^ 
Very truly yours, 

John C. B. Smith. 



CHAPTER VII. 

The following June, at the Reunion of the Third 
Maine Regiment, just fourteen years after we were 
mustered into the United States service, the sword 
was again presented to me by my command in the 
following words: 

Comrades of the Old Third: 

Tonight the sword, usually the emblem of war, is 
the olive branch of peace ; the harbinger of the return 
of true brotherly feeling between the North and the 
South. It is the assurance that all animosity is ended, 
all sectional feeling buried in oblivion, and that wes 
the North and the South, are again brothers in 
fraternal feeling and in loyalty to our gloriou, 
national emblem, the stars and the stripes. 

Lieut. Johnson, I have now the pleasure to place 
in your hands this sword, which, through circum- 
stances beyond your control, was taken from you 
during the late war. But let me assure you that 
even in the act of its surrender to the gallant Captain 
Smith of South Carolina, you proved yourself true to 
the trust which the Company put in you when it 
first presented this sword to you. May you have the 
pleasuie of keeping it for many years, to be drawn 
only in defense of the rights of our beloved country, 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 59 

side by side, and shoulder to shoulder, South Caro- 
lina and Maine against a common foe. 

On receiving the sword I replied as follows : 
Comrades : 

It is with keenest pleasure and satisfaction that I 
receive this sword a second time from your hands, 
not for its mere intrinsic value, but for the associa- 
tions that are connected with it. Most of you know 
that it was given me in the field by members of my 
company, and for this reason it was very dear to me. 
On that memorable day in the Wilderness, when the 
fortunes of war threw me into the hands of the enemy, 
and this sword was taken from me, I felt as it I were 
parting with a dear friend, and it was not without a 
struggle, both physical and mental, that I gave it up. 

The history of this sword since that hour is not 
known to us, but that it fell into the hands of a brave 
Southern soldier we do know, and the respect we 
should feel for Capt. J. C. B. Smith of the Twelfth 
South Carolina Infantry is such as one true soldier 
bears another. This sword may have been worn by 
my captor and used against our cause in the last 
months of the rebellion ; such are the fickle chances 
of war. 

But, Comrades, the war is over, an event of the 
past. Its scenes and incidents will always live fresh 
in our memories, and it is well that they should, for 
it was a struggle for principle, not glory, for justice 



60 THE SWOED OF HONOR 

not possession, and we have a sacred right to cherish 
in our minds all the fruits and results of that contest, 

We had a duty to perform then, and there is work 
and duty to be done now, and in the future. It is 
the work and duty of upholding and of making strong 
and efficient the Government under which we live. 
We know through dearly-bought experience that the 
armies we faced in the field were made up of brave 
and valiant soldiers; they were indeed <<foemen 
worthy of our steel." 

But, thanks be to God, the war clouds have 
dispersed, the reverberation of the cannon, and the 
echoes of the guns have long since died away, and 
the grass is growing over the battle fields of the 
South. Let us remember to be generous to a fallen 
foe ; let us not forget that we are once again a united 
brotherhood, with one country and one flag for the 
protection of us all. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

At the Reunion, June 4, the following resolution 
was passed : 

Third Maine Veteran Association, Bath, 

June 4, 1875. 

Dear Sir: — At the first re-union of the former 
members of the Third Maine regiment, holden this 
day at Augusta, Maine, it was voted that the secre- 
tary officially notify you of the proceedings. In ac- 
cordance with that vote it gives me great pleasure to 
inform you of the unanimous passage of the foUowmg 
"resolve" after which three hearty cheers were given 
for Captain John C. B. Smith, of the Twelfth South 
Carolina regiment, Company K. 

RESOLVED, That we have a lively appreciation 
of the soldierly and chivalric conduct of Captain J. C» 
B. Smith, of Company K, Twelfth South Carolina 
reg-iment, in returning to a member of our organiza- 
tion his sword, taken from him under circumstances 
reflecting nothing but honor on both parties. 

C. H. GREENLEAF, Secretary. 

To Captain John C. B. Smith, of Company K., 
South Carolina regiment. 

FRATERNAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Columbia, S. C, June 5, 1875. 

The public is already informed of the circumstances 

under which our townsman, Captain J. C. B. Smith, 

returned a sword captured during the war from an 



62 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

officer of the Third Maine regiment. The following 
letters have been received by him acknowledging his 
graceful act: 

The Letter of Transmittal. 

Bath, Maine, June 7, 1875. 
Dear Sir : — 

Enclosed you will please find an official copy of the 
<<resolve" passed at the Third Maine reunion. I 
should be remiss in my duty as a citizen it I did not 
inform you of the kindly feeUng and warmth of sen- 
timent expressed by all towards you for the signifi- 
cant act of returning the sword to Lieutenant John- 
son. He resides at present in Lynn, Mass., and was 
present at the reunion. It came at a very opportune 
moment, and furnished a striking part of the pro- 
ceedings, calling forth kind sentiments for yourself 
and for our Southern brothers. 

That act of yours has completely wiped out any 
unfriendly feeling toward the South which might 
have been left in the bosoms of the soldiers of this 
state. But the fact is, there was no such feeling left 
towards the South among the soldiers. It was among 
us as I suppose it was among you — the <'Stay at 
homes" were longest to get up a brotherly feeling. 

At our next reunion, August 4, 1876, at Bath, 
Maine, you will undoubtedly be invited, and if you 
can come, you will meet with a hearty welcome. 

Enclosed you will find a copy of the addresses 
made on the occasion of the presentation. 

Please acknowledge receipt of these letters, and 
oblige, 

C. H. GREENLEAF. 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 63 

Then follows Captain Smithes letter of June 16. 
Columbia, S. C, June 16, 1875* 
H. A. Johnson, Esq., 

Lynn, Mass. 
My dear Sir: — 

I am in receipt of your highly appreciated letter ol 
May 30, and am gratified to know you have been 
made the happy recipient of your sword at the hands 
of your old comrades of the Third Maine. 

That it passed out of your possession was no fault 
of yours. It was one of the fickle chances of war. 
I am greatly pleased to know that the return of your 
sword was so opportune as to furnish an occasioa for 
calling forth for the second time from the comrades 
who stood side by side with you in the war, an ex- 
pression of their loyalty and their admiration for 
your qualities as a man and a soldier. 

I cordially concur in the sentiment so happily ex- 
pressed by you that we must all, as Brothers of the 
North and South, look upon the war as an event of 
the past ; we must forgive and forget and cement the 
once broken links with restored confidence and give 
to all, all the rights guaranteed under the Constitution 
framed by our forefathers. 

On May 5, 1864, more than eleven years ago, wo 
met on the memorable day, the beginning of the 
Battle of the "Wilderness, as opponents in war, when 
its fortunes threw you into my hands, and I still 
fancy that I have some idea of your appearance ; and 
hope that some day it will be my great pleasure ta 
meet and know you better. In the meantime, I will 
send you a Paste Board likeness of your humble 
servant, and hope to receive yours in return. 



M THE SWORD OF HONOR 

By the way, who was the officer captured with you 
and is he still living? I have often thought of the 
occasion and of you both, and it occurs to me he was 
a Staff officer. His sword I. gave to an officer in the 
same regiment with myself, whom I seldom see, and 
don't know whether he saved it or not. 

In conclusion, we must congratulate ourselves that 
we were both spared and hope that we may meet 
more times as friends, than we met as opponents 
during the late war. 

I am, very truly yours, 

J. C. B. SMITH. 

In June 1890, 1 received the following communica- 
tion from Captain Smith. 

Columbia, S. C, June 8, 1890. 
Dear Friend Johnson: — 

Let me assure you that I appreciate your letter, 
and was glad to hear from you, after fifteen years of 
long silence ; in fact a letter from an absent relative 
of fifteen years, could not have afforded me more 
pleasure. It carried me back twenty-seven years to 
days that tried mens souls, yet the occasion of our 
first meeting, as opponents of war, on the field of 
battle, is as fresh to my mind as if yesterday. 

On the day of your capture, the brigade to which 
my regiment was attached, occupied a position hold- 
ing the left wing of that section of the confederate 
army. Cook's brigade was engaged on the plank 
road, and being hard pressed, my brigade was 
ordered at a double quick, for a quarter of a mile or 
more, to the scene of action where the fighting was 
going on around Cook's ordnance wagons. 



LIEUT. JOHN<S()N AND SHADE THOMAS 

Sharp-shooter of Twelfth South Caioliua Infantry. The 

latter attempted to shoot Lieut. Johusou at tune ot 

capture. Photo takeu forty-two years later. 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 65 

My regiment went into action by the flank, pro- 
ceeding into line by conripany column when tire was 
opened upon us by infantry and a section ot artillery 
consisting of two pieces at short range. The colonel 
of my regiment fell, mortally wounded, and the 
Lieutenant Colonel severely. Once in line, the regi- 
ment known as the "bloody twelfth," — not from thirst 
for blood or cruelty, but for its well known fighting 
qualities, with the confederate yell swept everything 
before it but the dead and wounded, capturing the 
two pieces of artillery, before a second shot could be 
fired upon it. Going a considerable distance beyond 
the line, and finding no obstacles, and there being 
heavy firing on the right of the regiment, the left 
wing was swung around and moved on the rear of 
your line, and I am of the opinion that but for a 
ravine, difficult to cross, they would have captured 
many more of your men. 

It was here that I, a little insignificant Captain, 
with no badge of rank save three small bars on the 
collar of my gray jacket, with three good and well- 
tried soldiers, came in contact with you and a fellow 
officer, in rank a major, if my memory serves me. 
Well do I remember your complete astonishment 
when I ordered you to surrender. You hesitated 
and calling to your fellow officer you exclaimed, 

<<What shall we do?" I answered << Surrender by 
all means." My command, all crack shots, was not 
twenty paces away, and had their guns leveled on 
you* I ordered them not to shoot for I had too much 
respect for a brave soldier, even though an opponent 
iri w'ar, to let him be shot unde^r such circumstances. 



66 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

I took the beautiful sword presented by your com- 
pany as a token of respect and honor. 

From your fellow captive, I took a pistol and a 
sword. The latter I gave to a Captain Bell, who, at 
the close of the war, left South Carolina and went 
west. The pistol I carried home, but had it stolen 
from me. 

I will mention a few circumstances, that will ever 
keep the fifth of May, 1864:, in my memory. After 
your capture, the regiment fell back, and took a 
position near the line first occupied by the Federal 
troops, as the dead and wounded well marked the 
spot. It must have then been about six p. m. I could 
have told the time by taking the watch from the 
pocket of a dead officer lying near by, but no soldier 
was allowed to plunder the dead. I never did such a 
thing during the whole war, though at times 1 was 
hatless. 

A short time after taking this position, I was much 
moved by the action of a Federal soldier, who quietly 
came up, raised to his shoulder a wounded brother, 
and proceeded to carry him from the field. When 
ordered to come in and surrender, he paid no atten- 
tion, and it was not until I sent out one of my men 
who spoke the German language to inform him that 
under the rules ot war he must surrender, that he 
gave up and came quietly in. 

I could full well appreciate his feelings, for I had 
two brothers in the army, and know how anxious I 
was to hear of them, after an engagement. 

I was glad to know that you enjoyed your trip to 
Baltimore, and ]ust here I will say that had it been 
left to the old soldiers of our late unfortunate war^ 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAK 67 

all party and sectional differences would have been 
buried sooner, and the peace and good will which 
reigns today, would have existed years ago. 

Just after the war, men living here, and others who 
came from the north and west, imposed upon the 
ignorance of the negro as a mass and incited him 
against his best interest, to do deeds that tended to 
estrange the feeling that should have existed between 
him and his former owner. Such men did not re- 
ceive a friendly tolerance, or gain the favor and good 
will of the intelligent white residents. 

We people of the South are glad to have the good 
people of the North come among us and live, and you 
would be surprised to know the number of Northern- 
ers who visit our city every year. 

Quite a number have bought, remodeled, and built 
new winter homes in the city, and are received by 
the people with a cordial welcome. Quite a number 
ot U. S. soldiers, remained with us after the war, and 
have married and are successful business men. Our 
chief of Police is Captain Higby, from the state of 
Massachusetts, a member of the Eighteenth U. S. In- 
fantry. He has proved himself a deserving and 
honorable man. He was elected over two or more 
opponents, who were old confederate soldiers. 

Just here I will mention a Mr. William Greenough 
of Westfield, Mass., who came to this place for his 
health and I have been told when he first arrived, 
doubted his safety on the streets. Later he was so 
well pleased, with the people and place, that he de- 
cided to take up the study of law here and entered 
the State University, of this place. I hope he will 
return to his old home with changed ideas of the 



68 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

Southern people, and with fond recollections of the 
days he spent among us. 

Very truly yours, 

J. C. B. SMITH. 



CHAPTER TX. 

In March, 1896, I saw m a Charleston, S. C, paper 
a very complimentary article on the conduct of 
Captain Smith of the Twelfth South Carolina Infantry 
during his life &s a soldier of the Southern Con- 
federacy, which I read with yery much interest. It. 
runs as follows : 

AS GOOD AS THE VICTORIA CROSS. 
The Gallantry of Captain J. C. B. Smith at Peters- 
burg excites the admiration of General Rob- 
ert E. Lee.— General Sam McGowan's 
letter to his old comrade. 

Columbia, March 7. 
Special: There are some Confederate soldiers who 
do not like to exploit their acts of courage and fidelity 
during the late war. Such is the case with Captain 
J. C. B. Smith. It was only by the request of the 
Camp of Confederate Veterans that the following 
correspondence has been given to The Sunday News : 

July 6, 1895. 
General Samuel McGowan, Abbeville, S. C. 
My Dear General : 

As the white heads and tottering footsteps of most 
of the soldiers of the late war indicate very clearly 
that they too, must soon cross over the "river" to 
join those who fell thirty-five years ago, I write for 
you to confirm by letter an incident in my career as a 



70 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

Confederate Soldier, of which only yourself and 
Colonel Charles Venable of General Lee's staff, are 
cognizant. I have never mentioned the incident to 
my family and my desire is to file your letter away 
that, when I am gone, my children may see that I 
performed my whole duty as a Confederate soldier, 
in a cause, which though lost is yet ever dear to us. 
With a view of refreshing your memory I will go a 
little into the event of the day of Gen. Lee's last 
effort to hold the works around Petersburg. You 
were in command of Wilcox's division, your brigade 
holding the right of the main line, and the Twelfth 
South Carolina regiment on right of brigade. 

In the morning of the day you ordered the column 
to advance, we soon struck the enemy in an old 
field pine thicket, driving them rapidly for some dis- 
tance behind their strongholds. At this point the 
Confederate line halted, holding the ground gained 
until the turn of day, when it was ordered to fall 
back, caused, as I afterwards learned, by General 
Grant massing his troops and breaking the Con- 
federate line to the left of your division. 

When your line had fallen back to the point at 
which it commenced the attack in the morning, it 
was halted, and a line of battle formed to meet the 
enemy. Just at this point you ordered me with 
three small companies to proceed to an elevated ridge 
between three or four hundred yar:ls to the right and 
rear of your main line, instructing me to hold it at 
all hazards. 

Before I had proceeded half way to the point 
designated I discovered the enemy's line of battle 
advancing through the growth of small pines, over- 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 71 

lapping the right of your main line. I at once de- 
ployed my little band and gave the order to '<Give it 
to them boys, and fall back slowly." 

As we neared the little farm house I saw amounted 
soldier, whom I did not know, m the country road 
that ran along the top of the ridge. 

My men fought like good fellows, passing around 
the farm house and through the garden, where they 
soon reached the ridge, and I proceeded down the 
slope through a forest of heavy timber to gain my 
regiment, which was done after some tramping. 

On the way one of my men said to me there was 
an officer on a horse that had asked him who had 
command of the detachment of troops, and that he 
told him Captain Smith of the Twelfth regiment, 
South Carolina. 

Late that afternoon, when you returned from 
General Lee's headquarters, you came in search of 
me, and found me sitting on a pine log. As you 
approached you said "Smith, my dear fellow you 
have covered yourself with glory; I have just re- 
turned from General Lee's quarters to whom Colonel 
Venable, of his staff, had reported your conduct and 
gallantry in the evening's engagement." You said 
that General Lee paid me the high compliment of 
being one of the best men in the army, and he had 
requested you to bring me up, and introduce me to 
him. Of course so high a compliment, coming from 
so good and great a man as General Lee, was very 
gratifying to me, and I must say that every man with 
me, on that occasion, deserved mention of their brave 
and soldierly conduct. The downfall of Petersburg 



72 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

and RichmoDd prevented the introduction as you 
know. 

Now, dear General, I fear by this long letter I 

have imposed upon your patience, but I only want 

your answefile awayr to with my valuable keepings. 

Hoping to hear from you soon, and that you are in 

the best of health, I beg to remain, 

Yours most truly, 

J. C. B. SMITH. 

By way of endorsement there is the following: 

Mr. J. C. B. Smith, 
My Dear Friend : 

One of my old wounds makes me write with diffi- 
culty, and therefore 1 will not rewrite this letter, but 
simply endorse it as true, absolutely true. 

By the way, I must say that the old Twelfth regi- 
ment was one of the best I ever saw, not excepting 
my old Fourteenth. 

As a rule they were the best men of the continent. 
We must soon go to the <' Silent Bivouac." God 
bless you and yours. 

Affectionately, your friend, 

S. McGOWAN. 

My heart being very warm and grateful for my 
Southern Soldier, I lost no time in writing the <*News 
and Courier" the impressions and opinion of a 
Federal soldier for their Condederate hero, in the 
following language. 

Worcester,^ Mass*, April 2, 1896^ 
To the Editor of the News and Courier: 

Seeing a complimentary article m your issue of 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 73 

Suuday, March 8, on J. C. B. Smith, late captain 
Twelfth South Carolina Infantry, and by the fortunes 
of war having met this gallant soldier of the Palmetto 
State during our late unpleasantness, I wish to add 
my tribute of praise to this modest man and brave 
soldier of the Army of Northern Virginia. 

I had the privilege of being on the other side during 
the rebellion as I wore the blue from Manassas First 
to Appomattox. Although not present with my 
command at the surrender, I served twelve months 
later than this date in the upper districts of your 
State as adjutant First Maine batialiou, with head- 
quarters at Anderson Court House. 

Being with the Army of the Potomac under General 
Grant in 1864 as adjutant Third Maine Infantry, I 
with a brother olficer was taken prisoner at the battle 
of the Wilderness. Although this was a severe mis- 
fortune yet by hap])y chance I was captured by 
Captain Smith and his command (Company K, 
Twelfth Infantry) and to his humanity and generosity 
I am indebted for my life. I was sent to the rear 
under guard, and while with them was treated with 
all the consideration proper under tlie restricted cir- 
cumstances of war. 

Twelve years after this exciting episode, the fickle 
jade Fortune restored to me my sword and at the 
time Captain Smith wrote me a tender and compli- 
mentary letter, expressing regret that he had not 
earlier known my whereabouts. 

Brave men never do things by halves, but it takes 
a generous heart indeed to return to a victorious foe 
a weapon honorably won in conflict. His letter is 
filed among my valued treasures, and is very dear to 



74 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

me. If a foe can speak in terms of praise of liis 
enemy, surely his comrades should be no less generous. 
The war may have brought evil to some men, but 
it developed in others those elements of which heroes 
are made, and Captain Smith is of this latter class. 

I rejoice that you have not waited until Captain 
Smith had answered his last i oil call before giving 
public recognition of his worth as a soldier, as a 
friend and as a citizen. That he may live long to 
enjoy the love and respect of all good people is my 
sincere wish. 

Yours in gratitude, 

HANNIBAL A. JOHNSON, 

Late Lieutenant Third Maine Infantry. 

In due time this communication of mine to the 
''Courier" was brought to Captain Smith's attention 
as the following letter from him to me will explain : 

Columbia, S. C, April 4, 1896. 
H. A. Johnson. Worcester, Mass. 
My Dear Friend : 

It has been some time since I have heard from you 
and it was only yesterday, while in the city, I was 
asked by friends, ''Have you seen the News and 
Courier of the second inst; if not you must get and 
have read to you a very complimentary letter to that 
paper from a Federal officer of Worcester, Mass., 
whom you captured during the late war." I had it 
read to me, yes, re-read, and it gave me much 
pleasure, delight and satisfaction, the more so because 
I know the words in that letter gave expression to 
thoughts coming from a brave and manly heart. 

Allow me to thank you for your kind and compli- 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 75 

mentary letter which I shall file among my most 
valued treasures. 

My sight is gradually failing. I cannot see to read 
what I have written, so will ask you to excuse this 
short note. Can you give me the address of Mr. 
Benjamin Jaques? God bless you and yours. 
Sincerely your friend, 

J. C. P>. SMITH. 

Captain Smith's death in 1898 broke u}» our pleasant 
correspondence of many years' duration. I had 
learned to admire and to love him for those traits of 
character which go to make a brave soldier and a true 
man. 

In October, 1903, I received a letter from Captain 
Smith's youngest daughter, Mrs. Lila Mobley, ac- 
knowledging a gift I had sent her infant son. 

The allusions to her late father are so tender and so 
human that I take the liberty to insert some of them 
here, viz: 

<'The affection which my dear father bore his 
'^Friend Johnson" as he always called yon, was very 
great. Countless were the times he referred to your 
first and only meeting. During the last years of his 
life he seemed to live over again those memorable 
days of the war, and often, brave as he was, tears 
would fill his eyes in recalling some of the sad in- 
cidents. * * * ^Qi once did he seem to think 
that he had shown any special humanity in his atti- 
tude towards you. It was justice. I once heard him 
say when speaking of you, "He was such a brave 



76 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

fellow he couldu't bear to surreDder. He faced death 
unflinchingly. Shade Thomas, the crack shot in my 
company, had his gun leveled on him, when I called 
out 'don't shoot.' He was too brave. I finally per- 
suaded him to surrender." 

The Loving Cup which j^ou sent my baby boy, 
Berry Hill Mobley, Jr., will always be cherished in 
loving memory of the two true n^en who inspired the 

gift. 

Yours in love and gratitude, 

LILA MOBLEY. 

The State, a paper printed in Columbia, on March 
28, present year, had the following: 

THE BLUE AND THE GRAY 

Taken from a Northerner in Memory of a 

Southern Friend. 

Berry Hill Mobley, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. 

B. H. Mobley of this city, has recently received a 

beautiful loving cup from Mr. Hannibal A. Johnson 

of Worcester Mass., a friend of Captain J. C. B. 

Smith, the grandfather of the infant. 

The cup bears this significant and appropriate in- 
scription : 

''October 24, 1902, Berry Hill Mobley, Jr. 
From his grandfather's friend, Lieutenant 
H. A. Johnson, Worcester, Mass. Met as 
enemies May 5, 1864, at Battle of the 
Wilderness; as friends May 27, 1875, and 



. J? 



ever after. 

Lieutenant Hannibal A. Johnson, Company B, 
Third Maine Infantry, was captured at the Battle of 
the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, by the late Captain J. 




BERRY IIII.L MOBLEV, JR. 
Grandson of (apt. .1. ('. B. Smith. 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 77 

C. B. Smith of this city. On that occasion the 
valiant Lieutenant Johnson refused to surrender to 
Captain Smith. Whereupon the ''crack shot" of 
Captain Smith's company leveled his gun on 
Lieutenant Johnson to shoot him, but Captain Smith 
interfered because of the northerner's unusual 
bravery, and finally persuaded him to surrender. 

singularly, Lieutenant Johnson was imprisoned in 
Columbia, Captain Smith's native town. He escaped 
from the Confederate prison and after many thrilling 
experiences rejoined the Union army. 

In May, 1875, Captain Smith returned to Lieutenant 
Johnson his sword, a very valuable one, on which 
twenty-two battles were engraved. The loving cup 
ivS an appropriate reminder of the tender regard in 
which Lieutenant Johnson holds Captain Smith's 
memory. 

Possibly some of my readers may criticise my faith 
in my Confederate friends. To them let me say that 
when Robert E. Lee's veterans stacked their muskets 
at Appomattox, and returned to their homes to be- 
come again loyal citizens, my bitterness departed — 
my hostility ceased ; and I could take the hand of a 
southern soldier and wish him well. It takes a 
mighty big heart, and a magnanimous soul to do as 
Captain Smith did. As long as life remains, I shall 
honor his memory. 



CHAPTFK X. 

Worcester, Mass., Nov. 15, 1905.. 

It was my intention to close this story of army life 
with the events of the return of my sword by my 
captor, J. C. B. Smith, and the incident of giving to his 
grandchild, Berry Hill Mobley, Jr., the loving-cup; 
but I wish to add to the book some incidents in 
Captain Smith's life as a Confederate soldier, full of 
credit to himself and of interest to any reader of 
literature pertaining to the Civil War; also an inci- 
dent connected with the men of the First Maine 
Battalion, and a brief account of a most enjoyable 
trip made recently to the homes of my good friends 
in the South Land. 

Most of my comrades who took part with me ii> 
these events have answered their last roll-call; and I 
can count, with no surety, the day and hour, life is 
so uncertain ; and as the true story of the RebeliioD 
IS only told by the participants, not the historian, it 
behooves me to do what liltle I expect to do imme- 
diately. 

I have mentioned, in a preceding chapter that 
during the years of 1865 and '66, the command to 
which I belonged, First Maine Unassigned Battalion, 
Colonel C. S. Brown, Commanding, was stationed io 
the upper districts of western South Carolina, in the 



A STaKY OF THE CIVIL WAR 79 

towns of CheraWjPickens, Laurens, Abbeville, Green- 
ville, and Anderson, with headquarters at the latter 
place, doing a sort of Freedman's Bureau duty: 
making contracts with the planters and former slaves, 
keeping order in the towns we garrisoned, and look- 
ing after any United States property that might be in 
the di&trict, as all property, such as arms, ammuni- 
tion, quartermaster and commissary stores. Govern- 
ment cotton, formerly owned by the Confederate 
Government, after the surrender, was the property 
of ''Uncle Sam"; and we were instructed to take it 
wherever and whenever we saw it. This would ex- 
plain our duties and positions, and, as a rule, they 
were not arduous nor unpleasant; there was very 
little conflict with the people, as they accepted the 
situation under the changed conditions. Yet, one 
must realize that the presence of United States troops 
in their homes, so short a time after the close of the 
War, was not a comforting assurance. 

The Confederate Government, the latter part of the 
Rebellion, taxed the people in kind, in cotton and 
other produce from their plantations, to help carry 
on the war; and this tax was willingly paid; and at 
the close of the war, there were thousands of bales 
around the country that should have been in the 
hands of the United States Government. 

We were told by some loyal citizens, where there 
was a certain amount of cotton stored on the bank 



80 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

of the Savannah river, waiting to be shipped by some 
private parties to Augusta, Georgia. This cotton 
was located at a place called ^'Brown's Ferry" fifteen 
miles from Anderson, and I detailed three men and 
sent them at once to the Ferry, and told them to re- 
main there until relieved, or the cotton had been 
removed to Anderson. This was done, but on the 
morning following the day when I sent the men to 
the river, the ferryman stationed at the river where 
the cotton was stored came to the Court-house with 
the startling information that the three men who 
were acting as guard over the cotton had all been 
murdered the night before, and their bodies thrown 
into the water. I at once ordered a squad of men to 
saddle their horses, and we lost no time in getting 
over this fifteen miles to the river-bank, and there, — 
too true ! we found only pools of blood where three 
good Union soldiers had been the night before. 

I soon got their lifeless bodies from the bottom of 
the river, and pressing wagons in the vicinity, took 
their mangled remains back with me to the Court- 
house. The town authorities gave us a place in their 
cemetery, and we buried our innocent men with 
proper military honors. 

In time, we captured all of their murderers, who 
were tried by a military Court Martial at Columbus, 
South Carolina. Two were sentenced to be hanged 
and four were imprisoned for life — a perfectly just 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 81 

sentence; but within two years from that date, these 
men were all pardoned, and returned to their homes 
by our then president, Andrew Johnson. This 
happened on October 8, 1865. In the following 
April, we left the South; our three Maine soldiers 
remaining behind in the Anderson cemetery, where 
they were buried, the October before. 

Shortly after we left South Carolina, a true 
Southern woman, fearless, loyal and Christian, took 
it upon herself, against the wishes of her personal 
friends, to decorate, each Memorial Day, the graves 
of our dead, just the same as the dead of the Con- 
federacy. And this Christian- like act she has per- 
sonally continued up to the present time. 

I had kept in touch with the people of Anderson 
since I left there in 1866, having corresponded with 
some of their leading citizens, and was known officially 
to this angel of mercy, Miss Lenora Hubbard. When 
this obscure village had grown into a thriving city, 
residences and cemeteries were removed to make way 
for the march of improvement, and the cemetery 
where our boys were buried had to be moved 
also. This good woman went to the city authorities, 
and had assigned to her a spacious lot in the new 
cemetery for the burial of our boys. Knowing my 
address, she wrote to me, to see if some provision 
could not be made by the State toward defraying the 
expense of head-stones for their graves, as she did 



«2 THE SWOED OF HONOR 

not feel financially able to do it herself. Our corre- 
spondence was made public through the press, and 
coming to the ears of the ofiicials at Washington, an 
order was given by the Quartermaster General to 
have these bodies taken up and removed to the 
National Cemetery at Marietta, Georgia. 

I knew this would be a disappointment to Miss 
Hubbard as she had cared for our boys for many 
years; but the will of the Government was stronger 
than the wish of this lone woman— so the bodies 
were removed. Feeling that Miss Hubbard should 
be recognized for her sacrifice and heroic act, I 
wrote to the Governor of Maine, and asked his 
assistance. Governor Cobb immediately entered in- 
to ray plan of having the Legislature take hold of the 
matter. When it convened in the following January, 
lie brought the matter before his Council, and they 
tmanimously agreed to recommend an act publicly 
thanking Miss Hubbard for her patriotic service ; the 
same, after its passage, was engrossed on parchment 
and sent to Anderson, with the united thanks of the 
Legislature. 

RESOLUTIONS OF MAINE LEGISLATURE. 

State of Maine. 

In Council, Feb. 8, 1905. 

The Standing Committee on Military Affairs to which 

was referred certain correspondence relating to the 




MISS LENOKA C. HUBBARD 

'lie patriotic s-outlierii woiiiau who tor forty years deco- 
rated and cared tor the graves ot soldiers 
of First Maiue Battalion. 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 83 

care of burial places of Maine soldiers at Aikderson, 

South Carolina. 

Report, that an examination of the evidence at 
hand discloses the fact that at Anderson, South 
Carolina, the graves of certain Union soldiers, some 
of whom were from this state, have, until recent 
action by the federal authorities, through inadvert- 
ence or mistake, been completely overlooked and 
neglected, so that they might have suffered oblitera- 
tion but for the generous and patriotic action of a 
southern woman. Miss Lenora C. Hubbard, President 
of the Anderson Memorial Association. 

We find that Miss Hubbard has at her own expense 
and actuated only by motives of Christianity and 
broad-minded patriotism, for many years kept the 
mounds of these graves in a respectable condition, so 
that they might be identified by their friends, and on 
each succeeding Memorial Day, personally decorated 
them with American flags. 

It seems to us that Miss Hubbard's action is of 
such a character as to deserve an appropriate recogni- 
tion at the hands of this state, and in conformity with 
that idea we herewith recommend the passage of the 
following resolution : 

Resolved, that the thanks of this body be extended to 

MISS LENORA C. HUBBARD 

OF ANDERSON, SOUTH CAROLINA 

in grateful and appreciative recognition of her noble 
and patriotic service to the people of this state, in 
caring for and honoring the graves of certain soldiers, 
formerly citizens of Maine, who died in defense of 
the Union. 



84 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

Which is respectfully submitted. 

W. B. CLARK, Chairman. 
In Council, Feb. 8, 1905. 
Read and accepted by the Council and by the 
Governor approved. 

Attest: BYRON BOYD, Secretary of State. 

I am still in correspondence with this true-blue 
Southern woman, whom it is an honor and credit to 
know. She is generally loved and respected by all 
who have the pleasure of her acquaintance; she has 
more honorable titles from Confederate camps and 
societies than any woman south of Mason and Dixon's 
line— her love and charity being broad enough to 
take in both Union and Confederate armies. It has 
been said that the Southern women by their loyalty 
and sacrifice kept the war going twelve months 
longer than it otherwise would have been, for they 
helped the strugg-ling men in the field ; and although 
the same men fought against me, I respect and honor 
the part these Southern women took. 

Our Northern women will never know what their 
Southern sisters suffered and endured to give en- 
couragement and help to their overtaxed and 
starving veterans in the field. Some of them even 
did men's work on the plantations, to allow their old 
and young men to go to the front, others made cloth- 
ing for their fathers, brothers and lovers — doing all 
that was honorable and brave to perform their part 
in the great struggle. 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 85 

What the war meant to the Southern women, will 
be shown in the following extracts from a letter 
written by Miss Hubbard to a Northern friend. 

Extracts from Miss Hubbard's Letter 

The good women in many parts of Maine have 
sent me a number of post cards, many of them un- 
usually interesting- ones. Seeing these pictures of 
your splendid buildings, especially your many tine 
school buildings makes me feel keenly the poverty of 
our South land. While your soldiers returned to 
find their homes and educational institutions just as 
they left tiiein. our Southern men returned to ruined 
homes and to the heavy task of rebuilding almost the 
entire country. If the men found this a hard task 
what can be said of our women who, by the fortunes 
of war, were left widows and orphans to struggle 
against such fearful odds? Hardest of all they had 
to break away from so many old Southern traditions, 
as to woman's sphere. With so many professions 
and occupations closed to them theirs seemed almost 
a hopeless outlook. 

My father died two years after the close of the war, 
and left my mother with five littie children, not one 
of whom was old enough to be of any help to her. 
I know what a struggle she had; for all her friends 
and relatives were too poor to help her. My father, 
a comparatively rich man, had such faith in the 
triumph of the Confederacy that he converted all his 
property into government bonds. Thus we wore 
left almost penniless. The South had few schools 
then, no free ones. No one knows the task of my 



86 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

mother to care for us and give us some little educa- 
tion. 

At that time not one woman in Anderson had 
dared yenture out from the sheltered Drivacy of home 
and enter store or office to earn a living-. I well re- 
member the first one who did so ; and though the 
position she filled was that of bookkeeper in her own 
father's store, for a time she was almost ostracized 
for so departing from ^'Woman's Sphere." I was 
the second one to take this daring step, and at the 
age of fifteen was given a position in the photographic 
studio of an old friend of father's. My doing so 
called forth a storm of protests from uncles and 
aunts, not one of whom was financially able to make 
it unnecessary for me to do this. My hours at the 
studio were from 9A.M. to5P.M. I got up at six 
every morning, practiced my music until seven, then 
helped cook breakfast, went to my work in the studio 
and in my spare moments there prepared a lesson in 
German which I recited to a private tutor after 
supper. Then three times a week I had a Latin 
lesson after studio hours. In this way I prepared 
myself to teach. After I secured a diploma which 
entitled me to teach, it took thirteen yeai-s of hard 
work to save enough money to buy my little home. 

I have seen the Old South, its chivalry and tradi- 
tions disappear and watched the development of our 
grand New South, with its spirit of progress, and 
vast opportunities for botn women and men. Our 
country is just beginning to be what God meant it to 
be and with increasing financial prosperity, our 




HON. JOHN C. GKADY 



Ex-Seuator from Philadelphia, Pemi.; formerly uou- 

coimiiissioiied officer Co. A, First Maine Battalion, 

whose life was saved by change of detail 

on the Brown"s Ferry Kaid. 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 87 

people are striving to attain the position wliich our 
great natural facilities entitle us to hold. 

Sincerely your friend, 

LENORA HUBBARD. 



LETTER FROM HON. JOHN C. GRADY. 

The following letter from Hon. John C. Grady, of 
Philadelphia, formerly of the First Maine Battalion, 
will add to the value of this Story of the War, as it 
throws light upon the incident at Brown's Ferry, to 
which I have already referred. 
Mr. H. A. Johnson, Worcester, Mass. 
Mr Dear Adjutant : 

The narrative of your eventful experience in the 
darkest days of the Civil War proves that there is an 
indubitable power shaping the affairs of men. I re- 
call your capture, almost a living death as a prisoner, 
the heroic dash for liberty, the perils and privations 
suffered for months within a hostile country. It 
was a happy destiny that crowned it wi(h success. 

One event is deeply impressed on my mind, where 
that power intervened. I refer to the First Maine 
Battalion of which you were the Adjutant and prac- 
tically its executive officer. When it occupied 
Western South Carolina in the Fall of 1865 an order 
came on the evening of October 6, from the General 
commanding at Columbia to send a detachment to 
«top the illicit removal of Government Cotton, from 
Brown's Ferry twenty-three miles away on the 
Savannah River. Immediately I was designated, as 
the non-commissioned officer of the small detachment, 
to go and execute the order. The night was dark and 



88 THE SWOED OF HONOR 

rainy, the road rough and unfanniliar, the inhabitants 
semi- hostile, the horses tired and sore, — imwelccme 
prospects in store for an all night ride. While this 
was transpiring you were making a call upon 
Governor Orr, at his residence, in a remote part of 
the town. Returning, your true course was diagonal- 
ly across tlie open square, but for some reason j^ou 
chose the sides of the triangle, perhaps attracted by 
the horses under saddle, and seeing us preparing to 
mount you asked ''What is up?" Thereupon you 
ordered the Sergeant Major to select another Non- 
Commissioned officer in my stead on the ground 
that you had another duty for me at Headquarters 
on the morrow, and but for this ( hange I should have 
been killed on the night of my eighteenth birthday 
October 8, when these men were overpowered by supe- 
rior numbei s, and all met death. This tragical event 
was made notable by one of the greatest military 
trials in the annals of the war and subsequently by 
Congressional inquiry concerning its results. The 
quick apprehension of the participants, the manner 
in which it was done, with so light a force, convinced 
the people of that section that you were a stranger 
to all fear. 

Proceeiling — your revocation of my detail per- 
mitted me to live longer — six years later to be ad- 
mitted to the practice of the law in Philadelphia and 
continue, so far, thirty-four years— to be twice offered 
to be elevated to the Judiciary of the State and de- 
clined; permitted me to be a member of the State 
Senate for twenty-eight years consecutively, being 
seven years longer than anyone else in the history of 
the State, and twice offered a seat in Congress — a 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 89 

commissioner to represent Pennsylvania at every ex- 
position since the Centennial also permitted me to 
make an extensive impress on the Laws of the State. 
Several that were innovations at the time have at- 
tracted the attention of other states and are found 
engrafted in their laws, such as the Fugitive from 
Justice Act, The Title Insurance Act; and now trust 
companies doing business under that act may be 
found in every large city in the Union ; so reflecting 
upon whatever good I have been permitted to do. 
The thought flows back to the cheerless October night 
in '65, when you in an instant, became my con- 
servator, and further back to the perilous times 
through which you passed that enabled you to be 
present to exercise the power inherent in you as 
Adjutant, when I was inapprehensive that the ride 
we were about to take, was to the grave ; and to 
turther work out the theory of predestination, what 
went before that date with you, must commingle 
with all that has occurred with me since, by your 
grace. 

Pride in your military achievements will not be 
confined to your children nor your children's children ; 
for the survivors of two Maine military organiza- 
tions have spread it far and wide, and the narrative 
should be preserved among the Archives of your 
native State. 

With best wishes, 

Yours truly, 

JOHN C. GRADY. 



CHAPTER XI 

Anderson, S. C, March 20, 1906. 
To My Readers : 

It has been my fondest ambition to once more visit 
the scenes of my last twelve months' service, and 
Columbia, the home of my captor, Capt. Smith, al- 
though he is not living. The readers of my book 
will remember on preceding pages I have mentiond 
correspondence with members of his family, also 
citizens of Anderson. When I proposed to rewrite 
the "Sword of Honor," I did not think any such joy 
and pleasure was in store for me. From the heading 
of this letter, however, you will see that I am at the 
very spot where the last eight months of my service 
in the Federal Army were passed, and at the delight- 
ful home of my almost life-long friend, J. A. Brock, 
Esq., of Anderson. 

February 10, I left Massachusetts with Mrs. John- 
son, to start on my proposed Southern trip, which I 
had desired to take for forty years, and after passing 
eight very pleasant days in New York with my sister, 
Mrs. Alexander Doyle, Mrs. Johnson and I went to 
Philadelphia to visit my friend of forty-one years, 
the Hon. John C. Grady, whom I had not seen since 
our muster-out of service at Charleston, S. C, on 
April 5, 1866. To say our meeting was a joyous one 
would but feebly express it. 

Friend Grady gave us forty-eight hours of rare 
pleasure, a portion of the time being passed at 
Atlantic City, N. J. 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 91 

From Philadelphia, I commenced my Southern 
trip alone, my first stopping place being Richmond, 
Va. Having a warm place in my heart for the boy8 
wlio wore the Gray, I knew the best way to get in 
touch with them was to go to the head of their 
veteran organization of Southern Soldiers, the 
Robert E. Lee Camp, which fortunately for me, had 
a most brilliant, courteous and accommodating 
gentleman for commander, Gen. O. B. Morgan. 
Through his kindness I was shown their camp head 
quarters, filled with magnificent oil paintings of their 
heroes of the Lost Cause, of both Army and Navy, of 
their late president, Jefferson Davis, and wife, also of 
their daughter. Miss Winnie Davis, the daughter of 
the Southern confederacy. 

From this camp so beautiful in its proportions and 
rich in its portraits, I was taken to the Soldiers' Home 
for Disabled Southern Veterans. 

For two hours I was entertained by the officers in 
charge of this well-kept home and was shown through 
their fine museum of army relics, chief among them 
being the horse, ''Old Sorrell," ridden by Gen. 
Stonewall Jackson through all his campaigns, from 
first Manassas to Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, 
where he, the General, lost his life in what we, the 
Union soldiers, call the "Midnight Charge." It was 
here we sought to regain the position taken from us 
by Jackson's corps the afternoon previous, the 
Eleventh corps of the Union army breaking and losing 
a very strong position, one necessary to retake, if 
possible, for the reestablishing of our own line. 

In the <' Midnight Charge," Stonewall Jackson lost 
his life, and for a long time it was thought by the 



92 THE SWORD OF HONOK 

LTijion forces, but history tells us that it was by his 
own men. If so, we are glad, for no one wishes the 
credit at this hour and in this day of reconciliation 
and peace, the credit or discredit of taking the life of 
this good and just man. Although we know his 
cause was wrong, we can but respect him for what 
he was and for his honesty of purpose, and do not 
wish to think that we shed his blood. 

I left tliis well-cared for home with regret, for it 
was indeed a pleasure to shake the hand of these 
Boys in Gray. I have a heart full of respect for 
them; for the Stars and Stripes floating over their 
Soldiers' Home showed they were again united with 
us, under but one flag and government. There was 
room in my heart only tor good fellowship and 
respect. 

I left the City of Richmond, the scene of my first 
captivity, with feelings of deep regard at the treatment 
I had received at the hands of its late Confederate 
soldiers, for no brother could have had kinder treat- 
ment than these same late combatants showed me, 
and with a request from Gen. Morgan that on my 
return trip I should stop off and address the R. E. 
Lee camp. As my train pulled out for Columbia, 
the last expression from the hero of many battles was 
<' God-speed and a safe return." 

I advanced towards Columbia with peculiar feel- 
ings. I was going to the widow and daughters of 
my late departed hero, Capt. Smith, who had not 
only spared my life in fierce battle, but had, ten years 
later, returned my captured sword with words of 
praise that almost made me wild with joy — who had 
corresponded with me for many years, and after his 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 93 

death the correspondence was continued by his faith- 
ful daughter, Mrs. Lila Smith Mobley. Now, I was 
to nieet them face to face for the first time. I knew 
I should be welcome from the tone of their many 
letters, but I did not look for such tender, kind treat- 
ment as I received for sixteen happy days. No dear 
brother returning from a long absence of years could 
have received a warmer welcome ; and while in their 
hospitable home, there was no hour of the day or 
night, while we were not sleeping, that their home 
was not filled with company in my honor, — soldiers, 
civilians, clergymen of all creeds, editors, merchants, 
and last, but not least, God bless them, the Ladies — 
all giving me a welcome only given to a chosen few 
in this life. 

I left Columbia and its most hospitable people with 
many regrets, and with feelings of respect and affec- 
tion for the press and people who had been so kind 
to me, under obligations to them I never can cancel. 

My trip to Anderson was one looked forward to 
with happiness, for here I had done something worth 
remembering and acknowledging perhaps; I had 
been here for eight months in charge of United States 
troops, from August 1865 to April 1866. While in 
Columbia I had been only a poor prisoner-of-war, 
helpless and unfortunate, but who fortunately escaped 
from their care. At this hour I am the guest of one 
of their Lieutenants of the Guard, under whose care 
I was supposed to be, Mr. J. A. Brock, who is giving 
me the best his home affords, and that best is good 
enougn for a king. He has a palatial residence, and 
a family that any man may be proud of, brilliant, 
hospitable, musical, to a wonderful degree, and with 



94 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

very tender hearts. This rainy morning they have 
made me very comfortable and happy by their care- 
ful attention, while forty years ago this same gentle- 
man, as a Confederate officer, was doing his best to 
confine me within the limits of his stockade. 

Truly, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. I 
have been here one week, renewing old acquaintances 
made forty years ago. I find many familiar faces, 
but the city has changed more than its people. In 
1865 it numbered 1,000 people ; today, 15,000. Then 
not a manufactory of any kind, the raising of cotton 
its chief industry. Now, ten large and prosperous 
cotton manufactories, twine, phos}>hate, cotton-seed 
oil, yarn and hosiery mills and other minor industries. 

I have been the guest of its best people who say I 
have the respect of the whole community, and the 
press has been very kind to me in very complimentary 
notices. Have been called upon by scores of its 
people, all extending the kindest hospitality to me, 
inviting me to their homes, etc. 

To the following I am under personal obligations 
for courtesies given me in Columbia : 

The Smiths, Mobleys, Browns, Gastons, Adams, 
Wings, English, Editor Gonzales, Rev. Dr. Niles, 
Rev. Drs. Smith and Whitsell, Capt. Netherly, Col. 
Alex Haskell, Post-Master Ensar, Prof. Andrews, 
Mrs. Doby, and many others. 

In Anderson, Mr. J. A. Brock and family, Mr. C. 
A. Reed, Mr. Frank Cunningham, Rev. R. C. Jeter, 
Mr. Paine, Col. Brown, Gen. M. L. Bonham, Capt. 
H. H. Watkins, Messrs. Carpenter, P. K. McCully, 
Mr. Sloan, B. F. Crayton, Mr. Bolt, Mrs. E. E. 
Moore, and last, but not least, Miss Lenora Hubbard. 



^^% ^^ 



m>- 



'^" 



MRS. LI LA sMrrii mohlp:y 

Daughter of (apt. .1. ('. U. Smith 



A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR 95 

Forty-one years' separation has not made this 
grateful people forget the slightest thing I, in my offi- 
cial capacity, found it possible to do for them. The 
ancient and tiuie-worn saying has become literally 
true in my case, "Cast thy bread upon the waters; 
for thou shait find it after many days." 

With this morning's work, I cannot, I believe, add 
anything more to my "Sword of Honor," — only to 
say this in conclusion that I feel indeed fortunate to. 
have lived to see this day, to once more come back 
to this people whom I had fought honorably — their 
sons and brothers in the field, while there was an 
armed Confederate to engage. When peace came 
over a united country, I tried just as hard to be their 
brother as I did to be their foe, and I know in the 
former I have succeeded without losing a particle of 
my self-respect as a Union soldier; for in all presence, 
I have ever been loyal to my government, constantly 
contending I was on the right side, and insisting 
that both could not be right, but giving my Brother 
in Gray his right to think he was right. 

I have been South since February 20th, having 
passed Washington's birthday in Richmond, and al- 
though I have talked with 600 of Lee's veteran 
soldiers, more or less, not one word has been said to 
me that could wound the most sensitive heart; and in 
closing I would say 

" God bless our whole country," 
and more particularly the brave Southern women 
who performed their wholes duty to the Lost Cause, 
and have given me eight weeks of unalloyed happi- 
ness by their whole-souled hospitality. 

My last two weeks in the South, atter leaving An- 



96 THE SWORD OF HONOR 

derson, were passed with the Smiths at Columbia, 
with a continuance of the same courtesies extended 
as in my first visit. I left them with deepest regrets, 
also the city in which I had received such marked at- 
tention. 

With much to be grateful for, I am, 

Faithfully yours, 
HANNIBAL A. JOHNSON. 
Late Lieutenant Company B, 3d Maine Infantry. 
1st Lieutenant and Adjutant 1st Maine Unassigned 

Battalion. 



L'ENYOY. 

As I look back over the pages of this little book, 
and bespeak tor it a cordial welcome with old com- 
rades and dear friends, North and South, I thank 
God that the Blue and the Gray have blended into 
the perfect harmony of Love and Peace. The stripes 
and the bars have faded from sight, and in their 
place, over a united country, floats our Glorious 
National Emblem, 

THE AMERICAN FLAG. 

<'So with an equal splendor 

The morning sun-rays fall. 
With a touch impartially tender 

On the blossoms blooming for all. 

Under the sod and the dew 
Waiting the judgment day ; 
'Broidered with gold the Blue; 
Mellowed with gold the Gray. 

No more shall the war-cry sever, 

Or the winding rivers be red ; 
They banish our anger forever 

When they laurel the graves of our dead ! 

Under the sod and the dew 
Waiting the judgment day ; 
Love and tears for the Blue 
Tears and love for the Grav." 



